A lot of what we see is about GUYS shot up in war - but what about the Ladies?

I'm betting they are a lot harder to reach, a lot more affected, and it needs someone special to find and to talk to them.

PEGGY?

I need your help and compassion here.



I wouldn't even know what to say or how to do that right.

How could I? I'm a guy


BLAST ME FOR NOT THINKING OF THIS SOONER! It seems so obvious....

 

Women officially in combat is a fairly recent thing.

I don' t thing the VA or the military is prepared to deal with the injuries, mental or physical, that are being sustained. But in reality they are not prepared to take care of the male injuries ether. With the current state of medical care more wounded solders are surviving what would of been fatal wounds.

Not sure if this made sense.

Scott

 

No - I think you are on to something there, and I believed so when I popped open this thread.

In certain parts of the world a woman is viewed far differently than in the western world, and that is not the only thing that makes a big difference.

They themselves see things differently than guys - so there is a whole new field of psychology involved.

Another thing that makes a difference is basic fundamental biology. We are built different.

Whether female soldiers, sailors, and airwomen need more or less care I don't know. But in my mind I see a damaged Lady coming home - and I can't imagine what to say or do.

I think the Ladies themselves need to chime in here. I'm just a stupid guy, what the hell do I know?

We are common people alienated to one another by a common need to make more of us - each has a unique view of the situation.

 

I don't think they need more or less care, just different care than the guys. As you mentioned, they're just wired different. That means fixing the wires takes a different approach.

I think another big part has to do with mindset going in, and that's not just for the ladies. In decades past, the boys in infantry were the ones getting shot up and coming home shell shocked, but they were in infantry so they at least knew going in that it was coming. Now we've got police action stuff where there may not be any real geographical difference between front lines and the rear echelons. Folks in the rear don't go in planning on getting all shot up, so they've got one more mental hurdle to overcome than the infantry folks from years past.

 

http://www.va.gov/womenvet/

http://www.army.mil/article/54264/Fort_Bragg_wounded_female_Soldiers_pampered_by_American_Red_Cross/

http://womenforwoundedwarriors.org/

http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=56915

http://operationmend.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=34

 

Keep it coming. I've known quite a few military Ladies from several backgrounds - techs, SEABEES, Marines, you name it.

And they are generally speaking a cut above the norm.

~But still...

*insert "I DUNNO" smiley here*

 

So where do you stand on women in combat roles, which has traditionally been restricted? Be interesting to hear a women's perspective on this. My opinion is already formed, but I'd be interested to hear yours.

 

I'd have to disagree with you there Peggy. A simple request shouldn't be sufficient. The requirement to meet the current physical and mental training parameters and test is still a must. If you can't pass muster, you shouldn't be allowed in. Regardless of gender.

 

....and staying on plan, I might add.

I will, also, add that The Queen is an effective multi-tasker.

 

I have little to add to the topic of "female" warriors other than to say that the 2 out of the 3 times I was injured in "hand to hand" combat (as a LEO) was by females. The "guy" was high on PCP and drunk to boot.
If you were to run across a female "defensive tactics instructor", give her a wide berth as they most always looked for male "volunteers" for demonstrations.
When my ballistic vest had the 3 layers penetrated, it was a female perpetrator with a spike.

 

OK, let's continue the discussion. I have no argument that there are some females who are mentally and physically equipped for combat roles.

Are we talking about front line pull the trigger types or flying an air to ground combat mission type? What about when the inevitable happens and the female in combat gets captured? Torture is one thing, but men at least don't have to worry about winding up pregnant. Should we offer some sort of birth control for those being deployed? And speaking of pregnant, what do we do regarding the point in someone's life when they decide to become pregnant?

Do we kick them out of the infantry when they decide to get pregnant? Tell them they can no longer fly combat missions? How pregnant is the cut off date?

Current physical fitness standards in the military are different for men and women. Should that be changed or upheld for women who want to get into combat? Remember standards were established based on women not being in combat.