I think that the subject has been reviewed and the only variable I see between the 150 pound male soldier and 150 pound female soldiers is the factor. I do not mean a one time so the captive know who is in control.
I mean the day after day multiple . How many of us could withstand such treatment and for how long, before we revealed what the captor wants to know?
Men and Women alike are subject to other types of abuse.
Every woman and commander sending female troops into the front lines must try and answer this question.
I am generally considered strong psychologically and with the will to face anything.
But I do not know the answer to this question and I doubt if anyone else does either.
But it must be asked.
My two cents on the issue.
Men can be too... Not as likely but I can see someone a man with an object just to humiliate him. Or female soldiers a man with their guns or a bat or some horrible shit.
Also I think that the fear of torture for a man if captured is probably equal to that of woman's fear of .
I remember vividly the day when I heard that Spc. Lori Piestowa had been killed in Iraq, the circumstances (if they can be believed...)surrounding her killing, and the fact that 1)she was Native American (like me) and 2) that she left two small children at home. I cursed the Administration that started this senseless, bloody waste of life and treasure...and offered tobacco to Great Spirit for Lori and her family. War is senseless, unless one's homeland is invaded by an aggressor (guess who?). Lori died believing in what she was doing - she died as a Warrior. There is a tradition among us Natives...we respect the Warrior's Gift, regardless of whether we agree or not about the fight...kizi n'klozi...8h8.
Since this topic actually relates to me... haha I'll throw in my two cents:
No.
The biggest and most prominant problems in the service with women serving on the front lines are twofold:
1. The issue. This has been discussed at length above so I won't go into it. You know the problems here.
2. The way men react to protect women. When a woman is in combat men will put themselves in danger to help protect them. If a man is shot one guy will stop to help him, but if a woman is shot five guys will stop to help her. If a woman finds herself in a dangerous situation, men will automatically put themselves in danger to protect her. Not saying they won't do it for other guys, but the effect is magnified when it's a woman.
WE might be aiming for gender equality, but not everywhere we fight is, in fact a lot of places aren't and that would cause a lot of problems in and of itself as well.
In the military the mission must come first. If it's going to interfere with the mission, which fair or not it does, it can't be allowed. I'm sorry if it hurts your feelings but I'd rather not go with the guys and have more of them come back alive than go with them and lose extra people because I needed to prove that I had balls too.
p.s. there already are women on the front lines, just only in specific jobs (MP and Medic specifically)
Right there. Oh yeah baby. Right there.
