Women in Combat

The Pentagon this week removed restrictions from women serving in combat.

Insofar as this is a recognition that there are no front lines for an occupying army fighting a counterinsurgency, and therefore all troops are at risk, then the Pentagon's decision merely acknowledges what has been reality for the last decade. 

However, it is another matter entirely to suggest that this decision should allow women into combat units like infantry and special forces.

First, why are there no women playing against men in the National Football League or the National Hockey League?  Is it perhaps because they would get knocked down and trampled with relative ease?  Then we should think twice before letting women into an infantry fight.

This week on television I listened to a retired fleet admiral talk about how great a female pilot did, and therefore combat occupational specialties like infantry and special forces should be opened to G.I. Jane.  I also listened to a retired female Air Force pilot make a similar argument, that she finished a triathlon faster than many men did, and therefore she should be allowed into a combat unit.  These points are wholly irrelevant.  Go prove yourself in the NFL or NHL first, before you risk getting our infantryman and special operators killed.

But put the entire argument about physical strength and endurance aside.  There is a more important reason not to allow women into infantry and special forces, and it is barely ever mentioned.

When women and men serve together in close quarters over long periods, it is inevitable that romantic relationships develop.  It is human nature.  There is nothing wrong with this, except that political correctness demands we ignore human nature.  The problem is that romantic relationships, or even a romantic attraction that is not acted upon or returned, undermines good order and discipline within a combat unit.  Favoritism by any leader at any level, or even the appearance of or suspicion of favoritism, destroys unit morale and cohesion.   

For combat units to be effective under the worst conditions imaginable, for leaders to be trusted by their soldiers to show no favoritism when it comes time to choose which soldier must walk point into the minefield, there can be no possibility of romantic entanglements.  The chain of command must operate without distraction and without being questioned. 

Women can serve in combat.  They can fly aircraft, drive ships, serve on the ground in many occupations -- but they must not serve in infantry or special forces.  The relatively few armies that allow women into infantry units (and some, like Israel, only let that occur in reserve units in the rear) are often pointed to as examples for us to follow.  But put their infantry alongside ours, and guess who always performs better in the field? 

We do.  Let's keep it that way.