Logistics, artillery and engineering roles are crucial posts for women

Ray

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Logistics, artillery and engineering roles are crucial posts for women

30 November 2010

The MOD has completed a review into the policy that excludes female members of the Armed Forces from carrying out ground close-combat roles, where they may have to kill the enemy face to face, and decided that it should remain unchanged.

Women play crucial role in front-line operations, from logistics and artillery to engineering and engagement.

Women play an active part in front-line operations, undertaking crucial posts in areas such as logistics, artillery and engineering but they cannot join the infantry or serve in small tactical combat arms teams where they are required to close with and kill the enemy face to face.

More women on the front line

The policy was last reviewed in 2002 and the European Commission Equal Treatment Directive requires the UK to conduct a reassessment every eight years. Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2002 meant there was considerably more evidence of women serving on the front line to be reviewed.

The study looked at recent literature on the effectiveness of mixed gender teams in close-combat roles; the roles that women are undertaking in current operations; the experiences of both male and female military personnel who have served together on the front line and evidence from other countries who have deployed women to close with and kill the enemy.

Capability not in doubt

Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, Andrew Robathan, said: "The Service Chiefs and I all agree that women are fundamental to the operational effectiveness of Britain's Armed Forces, bringing talent and skills across the board.

"Their capability is not in doubt; they win the highest decorations for valour and demonstrate independence and initiative.

"We looked closely at the findings of this review but the conclusions were inconclusive. There was no evidence to show that a change in current policy would be beneficial or risk free and so a decision was made to take a precautionary approach and maintain the current position."

Grave consequences

There is no question that some women would be able to meet the standard required of personnel performing in close-combat roles, both physically and psychologically. The key issue is the potential impact of having both men and women in small teams.

Under the conditions of high-intensity close-quarter battle, team cohesion becomes of much greater importance, and failure can have far-reaching and grave consequences.

None of the research has answered the key question of the impact that gender mixing would have on the combat team in close combat conditions. Accordingly, the MOD has decided that the case for lifting the current restrictions on women serving in close combat teams has not been made.

The full report, including the research, has been published on the MOD website.

Women in British Army
The British Army is facing an acute shortage in soldiers.

Women could fill in the gaps caused by the shortage.

Why are they chary about using women in the front line combat duties such as infantry.

Is it because of the distaste of what would happen if a woman falls into enemy hands?

Or is it there would be a flurry of sexual indiscretion, sex for favours, hot bunking, sexual harassment, long pregnancy leave to include leave for weaning the child born? What if a woman repeatedly has children and is on legitimate leave, how will it affect her training, since the basic skills are taught and learnt in the early part of the career. When she returns after very long leave caused by repeated pregnancy and birth, she might know less than that of the juniors she has to command. What happens in such a situation?

Indian Army has women only in the combat service support. And it banned the employment of lady ADCs to Generals, when a wife of a General complained.

What is your take on using women in the infantry including staying in isolated posts as the others do on the Line of Control.
 

Yusuf

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For all the talks about equality for women. i think for all of the reasons raised by Ray Sir in his post. Women PoW for sure would be brutally sexually assaulted. That would be a given. And yes they will go on maternity leaves etc. But also would form easy target to exploit as well.
Women should remain in non combat zones, i am sure others could differ with me but women in combat could be a serious security risk.
 

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