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Honor Hero Cop: End Ban on Women in Combat

Time to wrap up the military's 'failed social experiment'

By Will McCahill,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 7, 2009 10:15 AM CST
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(Newser) – Thursday’s shooting rampage at Fort Hood was just the latest example of how there really is no front line for US troops these days; Iraq and Afghanistan are entirely battlefields. So women are already, in effect, in combat, and anyone wanting still more proof that they can handle it need look no further than Sgt. Kimberly Munley, the cop who took down Maj. Nidal Hasan.

Sure, a medal from President Obama would be nice, William Saletan writes, but there’s “a better way to honor Munley: End the ban on women in combat.” Indeed, “not every woman is capable of such feats. But not every man is, either,” he adds for Slate, noting that we’d never tolerate such an average-based rule against any racial or religious group.” “Wouldn’t our combat forces be stronger if they included the fittest men and women, instead of reaching deeper into the pool of unfit men?”

Kimberly Munley of Killeen, Texas, is seen in a 1999 photo provided by Cape Fear, NC, Community College.
Kimberly Munley of Killeen, Texas, is seen in a 1999 photo provided by Cape Fear, NC, Community College.   (AP Photo)
Officials say 34-year-old Sgt Kimberly Munley ended the shooting spree at Fort Hood when she shot and wounded alleged shooter Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan.
Officials say 34-year-old Sgt Kimberly Munley ended the shooting spree at Fort Hood when she shot and wounded alleged shooter Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 29 comments
kirby
Nov 9, 2009 2:39 AM CST
If we kick out gays, we would loose a lot of good men and woman. They are already there, let them serve openly!
cochiserocks
Nov 8, 2009 12:23 PM CST
Sounds like a movie plot Netstorm - hats off that you remain lucid on an issue which gave you such a harsh personal experience. But to address the issue - I believe that genetically, we're all programmed with pre-dispositions, some of which are easier to overcome than others. Then our childhood and life experience reinforces certain instincts which could mean women represent a whole bunch of stuff- but the army's training is all about overcoming instincts isn't it. SO if the training is good enough to get you to kill a total stranger on command - I'm guessing it's powerful enough to wipe out any other instincts which could get in the way of women in combat - Does the army actually give specific training to help with this issue - if not - they should - But I suppose the problem at the heart of it is that you train soldiers to work as a group - with all their dislocation facing out and all the nurturing and brotherhood facing in - if you need them to ignore their own instincts when it comes to one of their own - you could be on thin ice when it comes to the potential unforeseen consequences. so far as I'm concerned though - anyone who want to join up and fight, passes their medical and training regime - should be allowed to do so.
littleoopie
Nov 8, 2009 12:15 PM CST
I got out before the wars, but during the whole Kosovo thing. No, I would have beat the hell out of them if they had. I wouldn't want or expect them to coddle me! That would only piss me off because it implies that they wouldn't have trusted my training or ability.

 
US military • Iraq war • Afghanistan war • President Obama • women in the military • Fort Hood • Fort Hood shooting • Nidal Malik Hasan • Kimberly Munley • women in combat

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