Argumentative Essay: Women In The Military

Women in the Armed Forces

One of the most controversial debates throughout history is about whether or not women should be allowed in the military, especially in combat positions. While there are drawbacks to having mixed-gender units, the advantages far outweigh the negative effects. Women are fully capable of serving their country in the Armed Forces, in spite of their differences from men.

Civilian society has had mixed views on women in the military for many years. Some people believe women have just as much right as men to serve in the military, assuming they meet the standards. For instance, a poll in July 2009 by New York Times and CBS News showed that more than half of the responses were in favor of putting women in positions where

In the mid-1900’s, when women were first being integrated into the military, some were denied recognition for the work that they did because they were women and therefore not technically in the military. In one case, Army Captain Linda Bray and her soldiers were involved in a gunfight in Panama that lasted for several hours and resulted in a “trove of weaponry and intelligence,” and no casualties, but none of the fifteen women under her command were considered to have been in combat, because “the Army, the Pentagon, and Congress said they couldn’t be” (Francke 49-51). Captain Bray commanded a mixed-gender group of soldiers to an incredible victory, and none of them were injured in the process, but they were not allowed to receive credit for their efforts. Had the expedition been led by a male commander, these valiant soldiers would have been honored for their victory. In additions, women have also had restrictions put on their military service so they would not be in power over men. In the 1950’s, women could not make up more than 2% of Air Force members, because some male soldiers feared that too many women would join (Holm 122). Because the men wanted to feel like a powerful majority, they planned to exclude a huge number of willing, qualified volunteers. They even discouraged women from joining in the first place, so that they might not even have to enforce the new rule. There were also restrictions that prevented women becoming high-ranking policy or decision makers; when they were allowed, it was usually only for “women’s matters,” and they had no real authority (Holm 122). The military tried to give the impression of being open, fair, and unprejudiced by having women in control, but in truth, the women were powerless to make decisions or effect change. Another failed attempt to seem aboveboard was the creation of special women’s groups. Holm