RDT, thank you for the off the side compliment. No it isn't that we take you or anybody else for that matter serious. What we do take serious is the issue of women in combat. To a point made by another concerning Feminism. Your right, but most of us see the sufferate (probably mispelled sorry) and the Feminazis movement as one. Mostly because its the Feminazis makeing the most noise. So yes as that goes, I am feminist in thought, but still think women had it better just before the 2nd world war. Then we found out what life was like outside the house and were told we could be outside and that being home was a drag. Do I enjoy the freedoms today as a result, I'd be lying if I said no. However, I wouldn't be opposed to it going back either. So where would that put us on the issue of women in combat. The exact same place. Women have served in military positions through out history, but till recently (the last 100 years) it has been seen as a masculine role on the part of women, not so. Deborah of the bible was not seen as anything more or less as a women as she was a leader to the Isrealites, when I man was finally ready to accept the position God had offered she stepped down. Today, we don't have enough people serving, yet we want to stop women from doing what they have always done, stepped in till the right man came along. We can do the job, we have proven we can, so why not make it official? RDT, you make some good points, but you strayed from historical references except to point out studies of the last 100 years. Battle before was much more violent, there they saw their enemy die, here, today, they might see him fall, but rarely see him face to face to die. Thats the stregnth and weakness of technology. Its so automated that anyone male of female can do the job. For the most part. Except for special forces, open it up. I say this because I've seen what these guys have to go through and even if a women could do it. The type of MOS they have would cause a problem, unless she had herself taken care of totally. Even then like it or not, her scent would still be different than a males. This would be in play in all areas of combat, but much more dangerous in special forces. Ladies agree or disagree. That is my opinion, based on minimum fact. So if you have more to add to or rebuke, fire away.

Well I've preached quite enough.

eph6_10@hotmail.com