Women at War - Two Pieces in the New York Times

Two great articles in a series called "Women at Arms" in the New York Times, one today and one yesterday, have highlighted the roles women play in Iraq and Afghanistan: GI Jane Breaks the Combat Barrier and Living and Fighting Alongside Men, and Fitting In.

Each examines a different area of how our military has changed in recent years. Some of the changes are cultural. We, in the West, are used to women serving in the armed forces, just as we take it for granted that women work outside the home. (That's not the case for the Iraqis.)

Other changes have been forced upon female soldiers, and upon the Army and Marine Corps. The nature of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have obliterated the notion of "the front line": every time you leave the base, you're on the front line. And there is also much demand for women to perform certain operations, such as searching Iraqi women at checkpoints.

They also examine the challenges faced by female service members. There are times when they can feel very alone. And there are times when they feel very unsafe. It is an unfortunate truth that women in the United States military have to protect themselves not only from the enemy, but also from the soldiers along whose side they fight. Sexual harassment and sexual assault haven't disappeared from the battlefield, in spite of the gains we've made.

As a military husband, I found both articles very informative. Of course, I have to admit that I'm glad, once again, that my wife is in the Navy.

Comments

[Jason]

I am glad my wife is in the Navy as well, but even during Officer Indoctrination School she was pressured by a male colleague for sex, so we certainly can't assume that they will not face harassment just because they are Navy. I am torn on this issue of women in the military, because in the medical field, where my wife works, women can be as good or better doctors than men, but I find it hard to justify putting a woman in a position where she will be deployed and surrounded by sex starved men. There is no easy answer as our military, most especially the Navy, are dependent on the female service members to fill critical positions and our armed forces would be strained greatly without their service. I am curious what other people have to say about a limitation on women in any combat zone or regular deployment where they would be unaccompanied by their spouse and children.

[Thomas Litchford]

I know the military works pretty hard to limit the amount of harassment that goes on, but it still happens too much, in all the services. You're right, the Navy is not immune to this kind of BS.

I'm just glad that Danielle's on a ship, and not on a convoy across Iraq. That's purely selfish. I sleep better at night (even though incidents like the attack on the Cole prove that our ships are still in danger).

That's not to say that women aren't fulfilling vital roles in Iraq and Afghanistan. Over all, I think it will prove a positive development for US military culture to have women more involved.