Women in the U.S. miltary - Essay Example

Women in Combat Women in Combat At first, feminist pledged themselves to a peaceful coexistence and cooperation in the world in order to ensure sanity in the society. However, the outbreak of the World War I changed their stand as women became involved in the war to support their respective governments. According to an article “Women in Combat,” in the New York Times, women make up almost 15 percent of the total Americans in the military and are regular members of the combat unit (Editorial, 2012).

Furthermore, changes in both law and policies have altered women’s roles in a military. Women are now eligible for combat duties in the air force, navy and marine. Nevertheless, there is still a negative perception of the involvement of women in the military, as well as underrepresentation in combat. In my opinion, women have capabilities, passion, and vigor for protecting the country and should be allowed to join the military just like their male counterparts. Apart from combat duties, they can serve the military in different capacities such as providing food for the troops, phone operators, and journalists.

The military should respond to the increased danger for persons in the noncombat roles through integration of such people into the combat roles and exposing them to fight training. Most individuals in the non-combat roles lack enough training on how to deal with enemies or handle weapons, which results in deaths or accidents. To avoid such, Sagawa and Campbell (1992) suggest that integrating women in combat positions would increase military effectiveness. It would be significant in helping them gain experience on how to handle weapons and gain courage to face the enemy without fear.

According to Burelli (2013), the role of women in the military has expanded over the decades. He argues that women have become actively involved in both combat and non-combat operations in the last few years. Burelli says that since September 2001 to February 28, 2013, 299,548 women have been deployed for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Similarly, Baker (1993) notes that women fly planes to enemy territories, as was the case of Operation Desert Storm. In addition, women fired arms, commanded combat support unit and ferried troops into the battlefields.

They also supplied soldiers with food, water, and fuels in the war zones. Hence, women are capable of handling both combat and non-combat duties in the combat zone, and thus, play a substantial role in the military. ReferencesBaker, H. (1993). Women in Combat: A Culture Issue? Walt Whiteman Quarterly Review, 57-66.Burrelli, D. (2013). Women in Combat: Issues for Congress. Congressional Research Service, 1-14.Campbell, D., & Sagawa, S. (1992). Women in Combat. Washington D.C.Editorial . (2012, June 3).

Woman in Combat. The New York Times.