Women on the Front Lines?

The topic of a woman's roles in the military has been a hot topic recently, and Navy Secretary Ray Mabus believes that all Navy jobs should be open to women, and that they only be limited by their own limitations. In theory, I can agree with such a statement. Such a statement can be applied to all people, regardless of gender, race, etc. The problem always seems to come in when there is a quota requirement placed on positions like we have seen happen in the past. This has been an issue with women or other minorities in the workplace in the past, where a company is required by law to promote or have at least a certain amount of, say women, in a given position or group. When a more qualified male is passed over for a position because such a quota has not been met, then problems can arise.

So, if such a scenario can be avoided, it will have a better chance of working. So, if what Mabus says is properly initiated, that a position — any position — is open to anyone, but only given to the one who is best qualified regardless of gender, etc. then such a guideline has a hope of working with little issue.

Some jobs require a certain amount of strength and speed, and few if any women could probably meet the standard that a man could; so should such a position be required to have at least some women in it? These are the kinds of things that cause the problems. If they really want to make all jobs available across the board to anyone, regardless of their gender, then they have to be sure all people are treated equally for such a position, and no one gender is offered special treatment.

In a March 31st interview, Mabus said “It’s my notion that women should have the same opportunities as men in the Navy. They should be able to go as far as their talents take them. They should be able to serve in whatever communities." He says they should be allowed even on attack subs and possibly even into the SEAL teams. “The only reason I’m being a little hesitant for the SEALs is some of the physical things you’ve got to go through to be a SEAL. I think women ought to have whatever opportunities men do,” he said. So, I can agree with such a standard; they can take on a role if desired, and only if they actually qualify.

While the plans are to eventually open most all jobs to women, it will happen over time they say.

Another of our bloggers here, Staci Dennis, showed some concern on this issue in her position "Just Another Pretty Face," and I too could agree with her and have similar concerns. I guess I am old fashion, and I see women as having different talents and abilities than men do (different, not lower or less important), in such a way that they complement each other together, and do not compete with each other. Due to that, they are better suited to often serve different roles.

The 1997 G.I. Jane movie opened this discussion up visually to prepare us for this day. The female character was put through extremely grueling abuse in an effort to show her she was not as good as a man, even to the point of potential sexual abuse. That would be a fear I share with Staci that the types of torture would probably end up being different than with men. It is probably much rarer that a male prisoner would be subjected to sexual abuse or rape as a POW, but honestly, can we expect the same treatment and torture to be applied with a female POW? If torture is torture, whether it is pain or rape, and a women is fine with that being her potential fate as a wartime prisoner, then that should be her option.

I can see the arguments both ways, and I guess there are pros and cons for both side. For me, I guess it is hard to shake my old fashioned ways totally.

Jeff McCormack resides in Virginia Beach, VA. where he works as a web designer by day. In his off time he is a husband, father, and musician. Aside from being a freelance writer for this Armed Services Jobs blog, he also seeks to assist in career choices and information by contributing to other Nexxt blog site.