Jim West and the guys talk about women in the Special Operations community. Jim talks about not what he thinks, but what he knows. He explains it’s not a male or female thing, rather being able vs. unable. He goes into a story about what could happen if someone couldn’t do a pull up, or any of the physical aspects of the job, and the very real consequences.
Terry Shepherd then goes into his outlook on the subject and discusses his two points. “How do I increase my lethality, and how do I increase my survivability.”
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It is the failure of our "enlightened" culture to understand the component of "human nature". It is one thing to sit in a college classroom and theorize about equality, but it's another thing entirely to face the reality of the differences that exist between men and women. Ignoring them is to ignore reality itself. For too long the West has been beaten to death with club of feminism, or what Matt Best from ar15 clothing humorously refers to as the "pussification of men". It's true. The West has been led to believe that "anything a man can do, women can do better". In some cases this is probably true, but not in everything. The military is the one organization within a national structure that you just don't fck with. It exists as the last line of defense in defense and preservation of a civilization. If you want to bitch and whine about the pay and opportunity inequalities in the corporate workforce for men vs women, that's one thing, but the military does not deal in theoreticals and has no room for silly street protests. If you get it wrong in combat, you come home in a flag-draped coffin.
I agree with everything said here. Men and women do NOT have the same strengths and abilities and should not be categorized as if they do. Both have their own strengths and weaknesses and should be in the positions where their talents and strengths can thrive--special forces is not one of those for women.
I like the way the Irish Army Rangers handles it. The Irish Rangers has allowed women to try out for their elite SOF unit for decades but they never lowered their standards. "They are not subject to an age limit and there is no rank in the selection process.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_Ranger_Wing#cite_note-fianoglach-31 Selection is open to females, although none have passed the initial training course.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_Ranger_Wing#cite_note-32http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_Ranger_Wing#cite_note-TL2-3" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_Ranger_Wing) They're are open to the idea, and encourage women to try but they never changed their unit culture or standards.
This was a great conversation, great points being made. Lesson learned about woman HALO dying.. Very unfortunate but it should be a part of curriculum. Lessons on being physically fit. Of course you have one in the no bra who can get it done and keep the door open for others, FFers are not much different. PD I cannot comment on their abilities, I don't kmow.
Agreed with everything they commented on, to many complications with women in down range units. Mission comes 1st ,no relaxing of standards that will just lead to getting people killed ! Great site really enjoy the conversations ,the serious and the ones that make you smile! Thanks again.