Chance to kill. What a thrill.

No. It's a chance to serve. And they volunteered for this. It does my heart good to see this. When I was in (USAF for 6 years) the women could not serve in a combat role. So thank you so much to the women of today's military. It takes a special woman to serve today.

Sempre Fi Ladies! From an Army Infantryman 11Bravo, You're doin a good thing! Excellent to see. Keep up the good work. I would stand shoulder to shoulder with ya!

Women in most countries cannot still serve in combat and ...rightly so because there are complications involved. Even women pilots are few because it has been proven that women have poorer visio spatial abilities which can make a big difference at supersonic speeds.

Jobseeker, they are serving their country. You should be glad there are people out that are willing to do this so idiots like you can exist to talk bad about them. You should be ashamed.

hooraaa ladies!!

i must admit, the picture of the shower with the sign in front has M*A*S*H* episode written all over it. i could see Hawkeye in his robe and trapper in a hawaiian shirt trying to sneak a peek some how!

good job and thaks for all you do!

More power to 'em! I (a man) salute these women, and thank them for their service and defense of our country. Way to go, ladies - I'm 110% in support of you!

I guess Singh's comments just show what a backward country India really is. Their society still is a Caste system even though their government publicly does not support.

Go ladies, Go! I am behind you 100%. I will sleep good at night knowing that you are there for me!!

I would like to give my heart-felt thank you for all that serve this country and to these brave women pictured in this blog, I am blown away at your bravery. In some of the pictures, you can see the look on these kids faces, because that is impossible in their country, that women can walk about fully armed and serving with the military. You all rock! Thank God I am a free woman!

JobSeeker, I served with a number of men (and two women) who were stronger than I am, but I always held up my end, especially when it hit the fan. That's the real challenge, and you can't know how they- or you- will handle that, until it happens.

JobSeeker, playing football is vastly different than serving in the military..you don't have to be 6'4, 440 lbs to wield a gun and analyze potentially dangerous situations.

And what does fashion have to do with being in the military? Talking to these women, its the least fashionable, least glamorous job available to women.

You are either the world's largest chauvinistic pig or you're just trolling. In either respect, I have a hard time taking you seriously.

Vikramjit Singh, I realize that this may be a foreign concept to you, but in the US, the ideal that we strive for is that each individual should have the freedom to pursue their ambitions according to their ability. We strive to remove irrelevant, socially imposed limitations that are not concerned with personal ability but with personal prejudices and that do not support that ideal, including those associated with race, gender and ethnicity.

There have always been "complications" involved - complications because someone is black, someone is too small, someone is female, etc. Fortunately, we ultimately did not allow something as mean and small-minded as bigotry stop the careers of individuals like General Colin Powell (black) or Colonel Eileen Collins, a decorated Air Force pilot who also commandeered a space shuttle mission, or the many thousands of men and women who served and continue to serve our country with great professionalism, honor and distinction in a wide range of combat and non-combat roles.

If your ego is really so fragile that you feel you must make an entire group "less than" so that you can feel better about yourself, then get help.

I am sooooo jealous. I wanted to join the Marines when I was in college (hated school) but they told me the best I could hope for was a "clerical" position in the Pentatgon, even after I got my degree. I told them I didn't want to be secretary in ugly clothes, I wanted to be a Marine. I wanted a combat role but that was not going to happen in the 1970s. I am so PROUD of those young women and all the others who are serving in uniform. Thank you Thank you Thank you!

P.S. My older son served 4 1/2 years in the Marines and I bust my buttons every time I think about him. A really good kid and a great Marine.

Aimee-1972067

So war and hand-to-hand combat on a battlefield with Al-Qaeda is less physically demanding than football? I have never seen a football player lose a leg or an arm, a few brain cells maybe.

Job seeker keep looking I am sure there is a job out there for you that will allow you to not have to inteact with women. Personally I hate war but as a American I support all our survice members because its their right under our constitution to serve their country as they see fit. . These marines are not like football player that is true enough. When they raised their hands to take the oath of enlistment they didn't have a strike clause in their contract. War is real and these marines are in peril and that is real. To insult the very people protetecting your right to be a masanogist is at best insulting and at worst shallow and unamerican. Female Marines you go for it ! We suppot to all the way! Thank you for your service.

@excited in Michigan...No on the contrary I do think there is a limited beyond which you can't push biology..you can stereotype whole of India if you want but that only proves how ignorant you are .which is again quite common in US :)

@JustaThought : Who is talking about bigotry here ? I just think you can't push biology beyond a limit. Combat roles , fighter pilot roles are not suitable for women and that is well accepted in most countries :)

Jobseeker,

I think you need to find a job to occupy your time and hopefully it won't be anywhere near the military or the defense industry because you have NO concept of what real combat and the modern battlefield is about.

Not since the invention of gunpowder has "hand to hand" combat been a major factor in deciding the outcome of battles. That's a myth and even more so on the modern battlefield with light, accurate automatic weapons and modern battlefield tactics and support.

Hand-to-hand combat on the modern battlefield is VERY rare. Practically as rare as a "compassionate conservative".

So why don't you STFU OR, here would be a nice change, say something positive and encouraging about these courageous young women who are on the front line, risking their lives, so you don't have to.

Get a job, slacker.

I want to know how they get a mat around the shower.

Hey jobseeker. Get off your a$$ and get that job already. It's not that hard just go do it.

Go join the Taliban then if you despise women so much. See how you stand against these "weak" women. Thanks much PFC Perkins, for everything which you do. Apologies for the chauvinist idiots...

Signed,

A man glad to see women doing what they feel necessary to do in their lives.

skip Nicholson

Hand-to-hand combat on the modern battlefield is VERY rare.

So is subduing a drug-crazed person who is resisting arrest. It's rare, but it happens. I have a job. You need to get off the unemployment benefit doll Obama is trying to get for you for another year. I'm tired of paying your bills.

Mixman34

I don't despise women. I just want our fighting men to have the best chance to survive and come home in one piece. Women are getting in the way on a battlefield.

Vikramjiit -

While I agree there are biological differences between men and women, that just makes it that much more of an accomplishment for those females to be in a role like that. Yes, the average female may not be 'naturally' as physically stout as a male, and may lack the more dedicated spatial skills but the fact that they've overcome that is amazing. I served 6 years in the Army, since I was combat arms there were no females in my squad or platoon but when sh!t hit the walls, the female soldiers that were there did an outstanding job. No less than any man would be able to do. I'm proud to have served with them and proud they are willing to risk their lives along side everyone else in combat.

You can stay in India, just do what you do best and call me trying to sell something. Or I will call you next time I have a technical issue.

Looks like Singh is bringing out the true racist in the libs. He is expressing his point of view and every lib is telling him to go back to India and stereotyping Indian workers.

Nice try JS, maybe you should change your blog moniker to "Gainfully employed" or something, huh?

I have a job. You aren't paying MY bills because I'm paying them and I've got the receipts to prove it. I've been working since I was 12 years old. That's 48 years bubba. I'll bet you have not been working anywhere near that long.

Didn't you tell me last time we crossed words that you were unemployed. Congrats on finding a job.

I have worked in law enforcement and I have seen female officers take down men MUCH larger than they are. It's all in the training. I'm betting right now that the smallest female officer I ever worked with would not have A BIT of trouble taking YOU down down and cuffin' and stuffin' you in the back of the unit.

You really SHOULD move to Afghanistan if that's how you feel about women. You'd fit right in.

I wish I could put Mr. Singh in touch with the commander (female) of one of our A-10 units. She has flown Warthogs right down in the weeds in combat, something I doubt she could do were her spatial skills less than optimal. As for air-to-air, I've watched female pilots in a genuine furball, and they seemed to do just fine. Of course, having an Eagle under you doesn't hurt, when you're out there popping MiG-29s...

Calling me a lib? I hope not since I don't take sides in politics - they all smell like sh!t, it's just a choice of who smells a little less. So JS, you're a cop? Good, it's a respectable profession I bet you enjoy going home to your family every night, eating a warm meal, not being shot at almost every day, taking a warm shower every day, not being a POW, not being blown up... Shall I continue? Arresting 1 man on coke is no comparison to combat so don't even try. Enjoy being a traffic cop, writing tickets must be a taxing job - very scary and physically demanding I'm sure.

skip Nicholson

48 years? I see why you use the past tense all the time.

Seems those 48 years were worth it. They gave him more sense than you have JS. Also, I'm not a racist but have no issue with sinking to some ones level when they attack my fellow soldiers.

btw skip, my last comment wasn't directed at you.

John Doe, expressing one's opinion about the right and wrong of women in combat is not "attacking your fellow soldiers". You seem to have fallen for the propaganda that anything men can do, women can do equally or better. You have been lied to. There are things men can do better and some things women can do better. I have worked at a semiconductor plant where all the employees were women. They said the reason was women have smaller and more gentler hands necessary to work with delicate wafers. A battlefield is no place for women.

That's true but some women can be in combat. Most combat today doesn't require brute force and I'm sure just about any woman can hold a rifle. The physical toll can be worked in with conditioning and all humans can adapt to a different climate. I've never seen a female soldier 'get in the way' or get some one killed however, I have seen them save lives. I have fallen for some propaganda, I know women and men are different and one will struggle more in an area that another will have it easy. The difference here is that I've served with female soldiers and saw what they could do, you haven't.

skip Nicholson

Sorry for the age insult. Having served in law enforcement, you should appreciate a recent experience I had. I served on a jury where a female officer arrested an alledged drunk driver. He may have been drunk, he may not have been, but the jury let him off because they thought the officer used unreasonable force. Apparently, the suspect was not being cooperative. She drew her gun. The lawyer argued the suspect was not a threat to the officer's life and using deadly force was inaporopriate. She felt like she had to draw the gun because she was physically outmatched. Point is this woman should find another line of work.

I'll agree with you on this one, JobSeeker. If the officer felt she had to draw her weapon to protect herself from an unruly but unarmed drunk, she may well be in the wrong line of work. There are relatively simple hand-to-hand moves available, not to mention the ubiquitous Taser. My ROE says the weapon comes out only to protect those in immediate peril of death. In other words, the bad guy better have a weapon, and be about ready to use it.

JobSeeker, (good luck on finding a job with that attitude, btw) I once dated a guy who served in the Navy and there was a SEAL unit on his ship. They were being trained in hand to hand combat by Israeli soldiers- three of which were WOMEN. Those women could take the SEALS off their feet at will.
Advantage in hand to hand combat has little to do with size and strength and everything to do with skill, balance, speed and agility - areas where female soldiers DO tend to have the advantage because of smaller size and (let's face it) a greater inborn sense of caution and ability to analyze situations in which they might be compormised. After all, most of them have lived here, where women are preyed upon by sickos fairly often.
Now, if you had bothered to read ALL of the article, these women aren't usually sent to active combat, but are a contact team sent in to make contact with the women, which is something that could result in disaster for both the Afghan women and our male soldiers if the men attempted it.

Negative Job Seeker, this woman should NOT find another line of work. She did what she was trained to do. I'm surprised the city attorney didn't explain this to you.

It's called the Force Continuum.

You control the situation with:

1. You voice, and your authority.

2. Physical force.

3. Chemical Weapons

4. Impact Weapons

5. Firearms and Deadly Force if justified.

You may ALWAYS employ force one step greater than your opponent and may go above that if, in your opinion and judgment the situation requires it.

If, as you state, the man was physically overpowering the officer and "drunk" he may not have responded to pepper spray or her baton. If she fears for her life and safety and the lives and safety other others (in this case the Drunk beats her up and gets in his car thereby harming her and possibly posing a danger to others) she is trained to take it to the next level to insure HER safety and the safety of the public.

The gun is a deterrent. Think of it as nuclear capability. He got the message and she took him into custody. Case closed.

I had to apprehend to juveniles who stole a car and were involved in a hit and run accident. I was off-duty and witnessed the accident. I pursued the juveniles as they ran (on foot) through a neighborhood. I ordered them to stop. They ran all the harder. I had recently injured my back and was in a lot of pain. I could not chase them and I sure as heck was not going to be able to scuffle with them. I drew my weapon and ordered them to stop. They figured they couldn't outrun the bullet so I took them into custody and held them until the duty officers arrived to take over.

Would I have shot them? Hell no, they were kids and under TENNESSEE Vs. GARNER you cannot shoot a fleeing felon UNLESS they show a weapon and pose a threat to the public or the officer.

But I used the weapon as a "persuader" and not knowing the law they were persuaded to stop and behave themselves until the uniforms got there.

IF and I say IF she had actually shot him and it was later shown that he didn't have a weapon and it could be proved he was NOT a danger to the officer of others then a case might be made against the officer for the use of the weapon. But NONE of that has anything to do with the fact she was a female officer.

No problem JD. No offense taken.

Well said,Job Seeker. Thank you.

Mr. Singh, does your logic apply to women serving as fire fighters or police women? Both jobs are much more likely to require physical attributes - hauling people out of buildings - subduing perpetrators who may be on drugs, etc - and yet to the best of my knowledge, there is no empirical evidence that women are less capable than men in those jobs, nor do they put their colleagues at any more risk than their male counterparts.

Proud to see this but dissappointed in some of the bickering i read on this blog.

All of your opinions aside-they are doing things that the average person wouldn't and that makes them everyday heros. Man-woman-makes no difference-anyone who was proud to serve this country, truly proud-feels the same about going above and beyond and that my friends is an honorable thing.

I spent four years in the Air Force Stationed at Andrews in Maryland-I did not go overseas, but I had a lot of friends that I was stationed with who did and I am proud to know them.

Show respect people and please be respectful of each other too. It's easy to get heated but this article was not put out here to cause fights.

I see how some think this is a great idea. However my person that I love with my life was severely wounded in combat. They were fighting for 10 days before that horrid day. They ended up on fire, losing part of their leg and nearly dying while fighting 100+ insurgents with a small number of Marines. I am thankful to God there was not a female Marine to rely on to save his life. He is a tall, healthy, muscular, broad Marine. The one 18 year old Marine could barely pull him up to extinguish the fire. He could not move him any further. Then the others realized he was missing so some of them went back to find him and it took two to pull him across a field where others where under fire and they were barely able to do that because he was dead weight. They were very healthy and in shape muscular Marines. So you can argue all day that women are the same as men but I have been around them for 12 years and they are not. I have seen them train and they can't pick up male Marines like males could. What about our friend who is 6"7. My person can lift and fireman carry him. These ladies in this picture could not.

The Aspin Rule says women can't hold direct combat positions. The Marine Corps assignments closed to women are infantry, armor, field artillery, security force guard protecting nuclear material, and several positions related to armored, amphibious, assault units and fleet anti terrorism security teams. They can serve as combat support and combat service support and these units are frequently encountered with situations in which mission accomplishment requires them to engage in ground combat.

Yes, I am great full to all those that put the uniform on. I come from a family that had 12 serve from WWII until present day.

Keep up the good work and Good Luck, Ladies.

I'm proud of all of you for what you do as well as all the rest of my Brother and Sister Marines. Come home safe. You are all examples of the BEST that the United States have to offer.

Sermer Fi! - From an Old Jar Head (1st Bn, 3rd Marines, Vietnam 1968-69)

We had ladies in the USMC Warrant Officer class of 1978 and I remember the ladies in my unit that did a great job. Semi Fi ladies.

"I have worked in law enforcement and I have seen female officers take down men MUCH larger than they are. It's all in the training." what BS..if i was a hadrcore felon...i doubt..very doubt if a female officer w/o back up and w/o a gun would be able to take a full grown man, w/a criminal midset who has malice in his eyes DOWN..please....sorry SKIP..your logic is flawed.

Small world -- I was in that class! and yes, I remember them well. Thanks for the memory.

Speaking of flawed logic, "... a female officer w/o back up and w/o a gun" And what would any officer, let alone a female officer, be doing attempting a felony take-down without either of those? In my experience, that just isn't going to take place and yes, I've worked in law enforcement too. You need to find a better example. Female officers take them down every day and as others have pointed out, it is all in the training. That training includes taking your gear out on the street with you!

I was the 4th female firefighter in California! If a woman is in good physical shape and has had the training, she will do as well as any man, and better than some. I started fighting those battles 40 years ago, it's sad to hear a lot of men STILL don't *get it*.

sorry mustang but lets say its a mis pull over...the guy just been out of prison and he has a bag of pot in the car AND he already made up his mind that he will not go back to prison as soon as he seen those lights...and she doesnt know he is been in prison for murder...u really going to say that a female will be able to restrain,handcuff or fight a guy who lets say...5,10 6 ft 210 -250..and she is 5,2,3,4 AND 120,130 pds.i know of alot of instances where females got their weapon taken away from them and just got a beating. and GH FD is one thing...doing a job like law enforcemnt or front line combat is another...and people HATE to face the truth...the ones who hate it are the men hating fem-bots and the guys who balls have shiviled up like raisns and have more estro than "t" AND THINK BY KOWLTOWLING to the PC crowd it will give them brownie points in a bar. AND SKIP again the first 2 force contium that u said that a woman will do is already flawed and will not make a difference w/a HC felon..and even the 3th one chemical agenst, she better hit it right and close the distance before he grabs her sidearm then u can cancel x mas.

@skip. i read you posting closer...iam wondering, a female officer gets punched hard by a crimnal...will she draw her weapon and even fire it?...so if your anwser is yea, the THATS THE ONLY defence she will have and if its taken away from her...she is useless to stop him

How many guys would 'pass' in your hardened criminal scenario, Me, Myself, and I? You seem to be assuming that your theoretical officer will be hardened enough to go hand-to-hand. The recent death of an officer at the hands of a wanted felon calls that into question. Better for the officer to back off fast, giving him- or herself the room needed to equalize the conflict, and, if necessary, use deadly force.

@Jimy : In fact women are represented well in Indian army and this is increasing in police and other forces too . However research here has brought the realization that women are not the same as men. So some roles like fighter pilots , sea harrier pilots , combat roles , marine commandoes are not allowed.

I do not know if physically demanding roles in the US such as firefighters are allowed for women but in your climate and urban landscape with lots of machines you MAY have more roles for women.

However reality is that at some point we have to accept biology for what it is.

terry...well the stats and i will bet u 100 that it would be in the favor of the male...u can cut it anyway u want it...men are different than women . no matter what the PC climate is and what the feminist's movement/org want u to believe...this is NOT a movie or fantasy where u have a female going into a bar and kicking every guys ass when flips and fancy BS moves...or having a female as a super hero ok....this was meant to entertain the weak minded AND EMPOWER females to be more violent. ask any female if they went around punching a guy...would they be shocked if they got hit back and woke up counting the ceiling tiles?...then by all a counts there should be NO MORE BS that.."hey, i was raised not to hit a female" if equailty is what people want...then by all means...lets have it...in ALL its terms and definiation. @ THANK U v{INDIA} PEOPLE DONT WANT TO ACCEPT IT, thye want to live in a dream world where life is like the movies.

me,myself, andI, if the situation you described happens, yes, she should draw her weapon and blow the rotten bugger's head off. A lot of paperwork, but no chance he'll get off on a technicality and go back to killing, robbing, raping, etc.

Are you freakin kidding me? What in the hell are women doing in combat in the military anyway? I sure an hell glad that there were NO women in Nam. If women want to be in the military, then put them in a clearks job.

In Nam, everyone of us men would have to be worring about these women. Have you heard of capture. Do you know what the enemy would do with a women? After being beaten, she would be raped every day of her capture. Thet is one of the reasons that men in battle would be watching out for the women on the battle field. You really think for one second that a women could pull me from harms way if I were wonded. I am 6"7' and 260 when I was in Nam. A women has her own gear plus me and mine. In reality she is going to drag over 300 lbs. to safty. No way in hell. Women in battle are a liability and dangerous.

Oh that's right. This is a P.C. war, and nothing to say about special living quarters and special shower times and men can't walk around in their underwear. What a disgrace to the military. Now they want to lift the ban on DADT. These cowards are destroying our military.

4CS - read the article. These women are NOT sent into front line combat. They are there to connect with the women in the region (something NO male military person can do). They are trained for combat because that is just part of being a Marine.

hahhah walking right outside the wire doesnt count...

me,myself,andI, your name really says it all (hahhah). Its all about you and your opinion, isn't it? Never mind the 650,000 women who have served in the Middle East since 2001, the 650 wounded, the 120 killed. Grow up.

not my opinion only...and dieing while getting blown up while going from one base to another delivering supplies...u call that worthwhile and "being able to the same job as men?" dont think so...jessica lynch proved this...and we all know how the gov would put a spin on anything like this when it comes to women in combat..ALL FALSE..and who is to say they didnt just slap body armor on the first female they seen on the FOB and let them walked around right outside the wire for a story/publicity? and its a common fact...certain types of women want to be equal for the glory but when its over..they want a hand out. its amazing they didnt show the us army pulling a stupid story like this.

Wow, you pulled the jessica lynch card. Look, she was a sh!t bag, we can go on all day about that. There are just as many men in the military that are just as bad, if you were ever in the military you would know that. So by your thinking men aren't good enough to be in combat either.

Wow, mmai, it is all about YOU, eh? By the way - that's "DYING" not "dieing." What, are you jealous that you can't make it through basic with your 'tude?

Yeah, Lynch was a publicity stunt, but I've heard about the FET women before this, and they fill a niche that the men can't.

PFC Perkins - why not ask to be on this team when they have an opening?

Hospital Corpsman okay but she is not a Marine. Navy corpsmen serve with the Marines.

cas...AND YOUR STUPID POINT is about one mispelled word? 4 combat tours and all grunt...so u FAILED!

I bet that these broads are in Seventh Heaven now. It proves that men aren't the only ones who like to kill. The whole thing is revolting!

Last I heard, you at least had to have a high school diploma to sign up. Don't know about you, but I learned to spell before I graduated...
When you eventually exit the service (thank you for those four tours, btw) you will have to find some kind of work. I suggest you at least learn to use "spell check" before you do.

Yeah, the government in Afghanistan is filled with thieves. Nice to see someone doing something for the people, their government sure isn't. They just take the money for public projects and get on a plane with it or so I hear.

Simpleton; It is a question of relative corruption. Yes, the Afgan government steals. You think the taliban is better? No way! They steal, chop off hands, mutilate genetalia and blow up UN world heritage sites to boot. It ain't perfect, but we're on the right side of this one!

I hate that these beautiful young ladies are being used to support a scandalous regime. -NCSailor

I don't know if I'd go so far as to call the Obama administration "scandalous"...

Any discussion where you start off "Simpleton..." you have already lost my respect.

By what you say. You don't know the first thing you are saying. What is your point?

Former Viet Nam Vet. 2/4 Echo Co U.S. Marine Corp. Semper Fi.

I think he is staring not because she is an American soldier, but rather because she is female. By this time, most of the populance has seen American soldiers so that sight is nothing new. What probably amazed him is the fact she is a woman. She is a woman allowed to serve in uniform and carry a weapon just like a man, and in his country that is not an ordinary concept.

Staring because shes good looking & Not wrapped in a rug. My father use to walk around in his underwear all the time, because mother wore the pants in the family. She was the warden and he was just back up in case her hand got sore. I don't see to many more of them football players volunteering. Iraq is supposed to be where civilization started.

TWS : He is staring at her partly because she's a woman but also partly because she's sticking out like an alien.

This is a common problem with americans ..they don't grasp the nuances of culture differences.. dress up rambo style and then you end up getting shot because you stick out.... It's always better to blend in with the local population. lest you increase the chances of getting shot. From these pictures I can see at least some of reasons why the US operations have been a failure in Afghanistan.

Dude, if I saw her with an automatic in my town I would stare too. Quit making these people out like some strange zoo animals, they are just people when you get down to it. They want to have a little something, hang with their friends and raise their family's in peace and basically be left alone same as us

Get a clue Singh she's in the military that's the uniform of the day.

Ben Over, these pics were taken in AFGHANISTAN. Look on google maps, it is an entirely different place!

I guess so fool.She is in uniform and female,while he is riding his bike while wearing his pajamas!!!

Singh, It would be rather foolish for an American combat soldier to wear local garb. it would probably be a violation of the Laws of Armed Conflict, as well, should she find herself in combat. The fact is that we soldiers have and will always stand out, especially in combat gear. i also have to wonder where you get your data concerning a woman's limits as pertains to air combat. We already have some women who have proven themselves quite capable of flying fighter aircraft, including F-15s and A-10s. I have to wonder if your 'facts' might not be along the same lines as those that purported to prove that African-Americans were incapable of flying combat aircraft. The Tuskegee Airmen shot that one down (pun intended) rather quickly.

Do us all a favor and keep your comments to yourself Singh!!!

Singh ... i doubt anyone really cares what someone from a 3rd world country thinks .. tell you what ... when you get the 400 million people in your country who dont have indoor toilets or plumbing some help ... then you can worry about the rest of us

Terrorists blend into the population. Legal combatants are required by geneva convention to clearly identify themselves by wearing distinctive uniforms and carrying weapons in clear sight.

Singh: are you on the same planet as the rest of us? They are U.S. marines, why would they want to blend in? Marines dictate their surroundings, not the other way around. Did you think they were missionaries or the Peace Corps? These are not battered scared women in Pakistan, India, or Afghanistan, these are free, beautiful, free, adventurous women. Semper Fi.

Singh, NO YOU DONT GET IT!!! Marines and Armed Forces of the U.S. dress as combatants as we are and not cowards as the terrorist are. Women are not subsevient to men they can perform as well in combat as any other. Marines dont need to blend in nor do any of our Armed Forces, we kick a$$ and let you see who is kicking your a$$. You, Singh are an IDIOT!! Take your anti- American crap and stuff it where the light don't shine!! You can kiss this MSGT USMC (ret) a$$ !!!

@LongGone Marine : you are a true brain dead rambo..seeing too many movies lately ?

How many dead or maimed Marines in afghanistan due to your buddy Pakistan's antics ?

@rock : yeah you dictate your surroundings until you get picked off by a Rocket Propelled Grenade...and come back in a coffin...that's brave eh ?

@bsdetector : Read the geneva convention to the Taliban..I am sure they will agree before they ambush US patrols.

@Tristen : Learn to respect India you bigot because your future economy is over here..knock off the yankee atittude :)

Singh, the economy is over there until Americans (and the movement is increasing) begin to boycott all the companies that stole our jobs and sent them overseas. I already do. I have boycotted Clorox for years, since they closed the Glad plant where I worked and moved several production lines (including mine) to China. I look for "Made in USA" labels and if I get routed to a call center overseas, I demand to speak to an American in an American call center. (for those who don't know this- if you ask for this, they MUST comply) If the company I am calling cannot provide that, I tell them to ask for my money when they can, because I won't talk to them until then.

Now, I hate to break it to you, but there are a LOT of female Marines. I was almost one of them but was ruled out because I have scoliosis - which I did not know existed until the physical I got at the MEPS. Of course, that was 19 years ago and I'd be approaching military retirment age now, but I do sometimes regret not having been able to go. Would've been cool to be a sniper. The Marine Corps marksmanship record was broken shortly prior to my enlistment by a FEMALE Marine named Rita Lobo.
I honestly hope, Singh, you have the opportunity to face off against a WM in her professional capacity. I guarantee you would emerge from your lesson a ... CHANGED ... man.

CAS Reaves : Get real. Outsourcing is a reality. next time don't drive a japanese car or watch a korean TV or eat food that is imported or grown by mexican farmers .. ok ?

You seem to have Obsessive thoughts. Get treated.

As for female marines and this photo blog..it is clear that there are only 3 of them and 260 + male marines..so let's not read too much into it. Basically it's a lot of photo op. and no I don't think a 22 yr old female marine is all that tough compared to say a Taliban or an Afghan male.

well Singh I think the term is "a marine and their weapon...". It is odd for someone living in America to have such a pro-India attitude; especially for a Pakistani; thus I think you are just a student, and a troll...careful about naturalization: we are happy to ship you back to the borderlands if you hate it here so much...

Singh, I do not drive a foreign car. I drive a beat-up old Ford that runs great and was built in Detroit. I have never, ever bought a car that was not American made - new OR used. I feel that buying foreign cars takes food from the mouths of an American family.
I do not buy new TVs - the money for mine went into the pocket of an AMERICAN second-hand shop owner. Of course, since I won't waste the money to subscribe to a cable or dish service, it's not on all that often.
I am careful about where my food comes from, too. I read labels and make the choices I need to to get what I need. If I pay a little more for something produced here, so be it. I grow my own lettuce and I look for "locally grown" labels on all produce.
I buy milk from a local farmer. I pasteurize it myself, since I know how, and I have the security of knowing where everything comes from. Homemade mozzarella cheese makes for an AWESOME pizza, especially when you use the tomatoes you grew to make the sauce. Fresh butter? Can't beat it. Takes WORK to make them, but it's worth it.
With the world economy the way it is, more and more people are going to be turning to local services. I DO hope your people will survive the lack of American money, but to be honest, I can't really care very much.

Singh, I for one really respect and am happy about the gains India has made.

Capitalism is a beautiful system that sends the jobs to the people who will do it for the least money and need it the most. No question, India has many, many, many people in terrible conditions who need it the most as well as a large number of underutilized well educated people who will work for very little.

I hope the people working the tech and service jobs don't forget their own people and look out for them

@Rock 76... haha the days of upper middle class or rich folks from India wanting to live a middle class life in US are over. Times have changed..so don't assume everyone wants to be naturalized .

and the points I made above are actually quite valid...and no I am not pakistani...

Nah - calling an Indian a Pakistani is like calling an Okinawan a Japanese....

If they could get away with it, India and Pakistan would have already sent nukes at each other.

oh puleese...I think we're a bit beyond that protecting the ladies line...

I could not agree more with AL-316. From the same time period i was tought the same thing. but i learned first hand from China Beach what those women could do and i am glad to see that they are gojng forward with the tradition. Ladies, i am glad to call you Marines.

give a 60-70 pd ruck and put them in the mountains then we will see...walking just outside the wire is not a big deal and its not the front lines.

Give 'em time, dude. It took Desert Storm I before women pilots could fly combat missions. There's a wall of resistance out there, coming from guys like you, to the idea of women in combat. But let's face it, civilians are the most likely targets these days, and anywhere can become the front line in just minutes. I was in the USAF from 1979-1983, and heard alot of crap from guys like you. I couldn't go where the service wouldn't send me, and some guy would complain that I wasn't "doing my fair share" and increasing his chance of going to Greenland, therefore I shouldn't even be in the Air Force. So sure, give 'em a ruck sack and a mission, and see what happens! Girls are stronger now, thanks to sports programs. I think they'll do fine.

I was also raised that way. Since I was in I have taught my sons this - When someone says - You're momma wears combat boots - they say "yes and she makes them look good!"

Wow...you are easily swayed my friend. How do composed photos tell you ANYTHING about the combat effectiveness of these "gals"? I have no problem with women serving, but for fvck sake, keep them out of the killbox. These so called "strong women" would be absolutely incapable of picking up a fellow wounded and carrying them to safety under hostile fire...Sounds like the missus has you by the short hairs. If you are really a former GI from the sixties, try to remember how brutal the VC were before you apply your 21st century politically correct logic in the form of a good ol' fashioned "you go girl". Gimme a break!

Hey Me, Myself and I. Has anybody ever told you that you're a Jack A$$? You obviously have no idea of what women are capable of. Have you seen the horror that women in other countries endure? Have you ever seen a woman give birth? (And not with drugs to aid either) Have you ever seen what a woman would do to protect her family? Or have you lived in a bubble your whole life? Women are stronger than so many, like yourself, give them credit for! Personally, I love to be treated like a lady, but in the right situation I can guaruntee I would give most any man a run for their money. And I can bet that many of these women on any given day could put you to shame. They are not out there playing house. Their lives are on the line everyday. You could stand to learn a little respect.

AMEN!!! Especially when you consider that, #1...Marines go through the LONGEST boot camp of all,,,12 weeks, AND female Marines got through 13 weeks! What tenacity and selfless patriotism!!! GOD Bless them all!

You're right, Al; I think a lot of us men have underestimated the role and capabilities of women in the military. I have full confidence that women are going to do just fine, and many will even excel far above and beyond our expectations. I've seen some amazing feats of flying by female pilots in the USAF, many of whom can compete with the best of the male pilots, and I'm sure that women like these 3 highlighted in this story in the USMC, as well as in the other branches of service, are fully capable of outstanding combat performance. From what I can gather from this story and photojournalism report, I would be perfectly comfortable having these 3 women looking out for me (which is what they are doing, as I am now a civilian).

OK Jessica Lynch...Truth is , you'd sh!t yourself within 2 seconds of falling into the hands of the 7th century Mujahadeen. Imagine if one of theses gals was found skinned alive in her rucksack outside her own tent one bright Afghan morning...what would you and the Media freakos say to that. This was a common practice under the Soviet occupation in yhe 80's. You should read the accounts published by Russian vets of that war and then tell me if you think they'd give these Muslim fighters a "run for their money". Better yet, go spend the holidays in Chechnya, and report back what you saw.

Hey me, myself and I, I can see the reason you chose that name, because you are a self centered individual, and probally never served a day in the Armed Forces. Women in the Israeli Armed Forces have been serving in combat roles for years. American women can do it as well. Instead of belittling these honorable women you should be praising them for their courage, honor and commitment!

4 tours and all combat arms..so to all these idiots who love to talk crap just because its PC to do...i can care less.and like i s aid...put a 60-70 pd ruck on them and we will see what happens...instead we get stupid comments that "oh u dont know what the are capable" BS..and why are u compairing them to other women in other countries..its apples and oranges...i rather and have no prob serving w/ a female from a different country like Israel...women from there have been raised diff not w/a sense of entitlement and spoiled and soft like here..who want to pick and choose their equality in peace time/civilian word but want to be fulll time equal when it comes to glory...

AP-1414066:

You say "oh puleese...I think we're a bit beyond that protecting the ladies line..."

We also used to say, "Women and children first". Those were the days when people made an effort to show respect and honor for one another voluntarily. Now, respect has to be mandated. Our culture has evolved, no doubt, to your liking.

Elena, Thank you for a great post. It was very enlightening. I have submitted a Friend Request which I hope you accept.

AP, it's pretty obvious that you read only that line and didn't bother to read the rest of Al's post.

Al, I salute you. Instead of remaining hidebound to an outdated culture, you have learned and grown. Takes someone with heart to grow up and realize that everyone has their merits and their value. There ARE those who never will and that lack will be their loss.

Well done.

Nobody will be disadvantaged by being a woman, just as nobody will be disadvantaged by being black. It's not perfect, but it's a done deal - nobody can fight history,

If we would not have had the talent of blacks, we would not have a Colin Powell. The Navy has a spanking new aircraft carrier - the George Bush, next to nukes the baddest weapon on the planet. The CIC of the battle group has her headquarters there - that's right HER.

All this talk about can a woman carry a load as well as a man is moronic. Some can, some can't. But if you think that is what the Marines need is more people who can carry a load, you are living in the past. They need smart people more than strong people, smart will beat strong in combat and everywhere else.

CAS Reeves --- Thank you for the kind words.

@Edward Bruce Williams : In many conflict zones around the world you need physical strength and resilience to combat the climate , dust and heat.

Many of the combats abroad require 2nd generation war tactics and not 4th generation skills.

Navy (parents), Air Force (retired both husband and I), Marines (cousin) Army (son).

I kinda like that. Proud to say it too.

oh god, here we go w/boo hoo...we women have struggles in the military...please, women have shown to complain bout the smallest,petties things like the uniforms which the army now has have to bring out new types becasue women complian it does not look good on them..

Please, I live on Camp Lejeune. I've been working with Marines for almost 10 years. Don't act like it's only women who complain. I have seen more than uniforms change over the past decade because of complaining men.

It's an attitude like that which perpetuates rape and sexual assault. I'm certain that you don't quite understand the causation between your attitude and sex crimes. If you did, you wouldn't have compared rape to uniforms. Poor example. Poor attitude.

Women, whether or not they can hold their own, have 'NO' place in a combat zone, on the streets as a police officer, or as a fire fighter!

Why?

Guys like that read "The Handmaid's Tale" and think, "So?". Sorry to say, it's in their DNA, Becky.

Retired Mustang Marine, you put that in an excellent context. Something tells me though that men like that aren't reading "The Handmaid's Tale." ;)

I hope it's more culture than DNA--culture can (and will) change with time.

Lol! Yes, it certainly does beg the question "why?", especially when the stated comment was including the consideration of a woman being capable of doing said work ("whether or not they can hold their own"). If she can "hold her own", meaning she has proven to be capable of performing within such profession, why shouldn't she be able to make a living off her abilities?

Becky,

I think Cburroughs might have some problems keeping up in the workplace and maybe is worried that not only will he be out- shined by by his male comrads, but women competition as well!

We've learned different from that, CBurroughs. And as the article points out, these Female Marines are valuable in that they can go places men cannot...like reaching out to Afgahni Women. A pair of hands and a sharp mind is what is needed in today's military. You don't need to be a man to point a gun at someone and shoot them. The weapons are lighter and more powerful than they ever were. You could take the burliest man out there and shoot him and he's going down. I'm a man and I never served in the military, if anything, these ladies inspire me.

IL Boy, you are definitely right. Usually opinions like that come from two avenues of thought: inability to think outside of tradition and fear of losing power.

Sometimes, I have a difficult time believing that people in the 21st century still think along the lines of tradition.

women fighting in the military is touchy.

but i would like to point out something in the olympic world.

during the olympics our women teams DOMINATE all the male dominate sports, hockey, basketball, softball.

why?

cause in this country they are free to play them. there are also laws that make it mandatory that colleges spend money fairly in sports.

the turn out is medals in all those sports cause they get the same training and equipment the guys do.

now in war they get the same training and equipment the guys do, so why not let them fight like the guys do? fort hood is a perfect example, it was a female police officer that took out that creep! she was also shot and wounded by that jerk also. so should girls be police officers?

other countries wont let their women vote or talk unless spoken to, america arent thoes other couontries. this is all psychologicial warfare on the arabs. they dont believe a girl could/should be doing this, so when they get shot or caught by a girl it is humiliating to them.

i would like to trap about 1000 wild pigs and release them over there and let them runamuck on them, more psychological warfare!!

We WOMEN complain? You may rest assured we do NOT have a corner on the complaikning market!
Ohmigod. The biggest bunch of whiners and crybabies I have EVER heard were military MEN! They b!tch about EVERYTHING, and I DO mean EVERYTHING! And GOSSIP... they don't gossip LIKE old women, they gossip WORSE than old women!
Get a grip MMAI. People are people, and that is all there is to it.
No, I DON'T think that women need to be up in the hills with you grunts lugging packs. Their intelligence would be wasted in that area.

LOL..really? well when we complain its for cause its NOT for our uniform making us look like a "potato sack", having to stop training cause its "the time of the month", the crew serve weapon is too heavy to carry 50 yds to the Vic. Go on military .com and see howfemales been complaining that the uniform need to me changed and modified to THEIR STANDARDS..are u freaking kidding me? and u are right their intelligence would be better suited that we have supplies, get treated medically,get paid on time ectra.

AND THAT under handed side reamark that men/door kickers are stupid was noticed.llife IS NOT a lame ass,stupid movie like "GI JANE,SALT" ...sorry to burst the reality bubble. I have served w/females when i was a 31B{MILITARY POLICE} AND They failed miserably..i longed to go back to the 11B infantry world.

me , Myself and I : LOL I kinda agree with you. women just talk and talk...Becky and CAS Reeves..take your sisterhood nutty attacks on men elsewhere.

I didn't buy in to the GI Jane thing. Most women get abused enough at home and wouldn't want to deal with it at work.
One of these days, Singh, your life will depend upon the good will of a woman. I do hope that I get to be that woman. 'Nuff said.

Oh, and MMAI, since you CAUGHT the jab about the brains, I thought (momentarily, I assure you) that you might even be more intelligent than your posts indicate.

ooh here we go again.."us women get abused at home" yada yada..exactly what i was saying. sorry if the truth is a kick in the vaja ja. funny..everything i have said is factual and u can not defend against it!

I have a better idea. Let's not send our daughers OR our sons into combat!!!

thank you bill...totaly agree.

i'd feel more comfortable with a woman backing my rear up in combat than a man! just because women volunteer for front line doesn't mean they will draft them! get out of the dark ages!!!

Well said Bill!

I have to admit that after reading most of these posts I was becoming a little scared. Then I read this message from Bill Collins-1907616 and felt a bit better. I am a 36 year old mother of 3 girls. I take care of the house and the children right now while my husband works full time to support us. I was never the kind of girl that was good at sports etc. I get hurt easily and loud noises go right through me! When I was growing up I used to sit and listen to stories from my father who was in the 101st air born division. I was envious of the adventures and the camaraderie. After high school I walked into an army recruiter's office and was told within 5 minutes that it was not for me by the recruiter. I was shocked! I had straight A's in school. Still, to this day, I am grateful for this man's honesty and directness. I do feel that some women are equipped physically and mentally to enlist in the military and do a great job but after reading most of these comments I just want to remind all of the men out there that the majority of women still need their bravery and protection. I do! MY three daughter's do. I feel that God combined in both men and women characteristics of Himself. We are supposed to work together in this life and depend on each other, not be independent of each other. If we are all expected to do the same job, than where is the opportunity to admire the superior strength and the instinct to protect that God gave men? What does being a man even mean anymore?

Once your daughter is in the military to serve, you as a dad have no say whether your daughter goes into combat. Your post made me laugh! Your adult daughter makes her own decisions. This attitude is as bad as the Pakistani father wanting his abused daughter back because she's having reconstructive surgery in the US after the men there cut her nose/ears off for daring to object to physical abuse by leaving. The woman/daughter IS NOT your property! She has free will. Put the uniform on ladies and show the men here and there what the US women are really made of!

Mr. Collins, when your daughters are 18, the age to enlist, they are legally adults and you can't allow or not allow them to do anything. If they wish to join the military (which I personally find an abhorrent organization), you can't say no.

Hello? Is your brain switched into the on position? Try to wrap it around this question:

If the ERA passed, and women were subject to the draft, how many politicians would EVER vote to enact it again?

Thank you for playing :-)

Israel tried women in combat roles and came to the conclusion it was a complete failure, I don't think they are ready for the horror's of war.

Combat seems so primitive. I picture a time when everyone--male or female--will just say Hell No I Won't Go and stick with it. This is the 21st century--use the Gift of Speech to settle differences and the Gifts of Reasoning and Compassion to live and let live. War is soooooo has-been.

kmomma-2775682 -

I agree and I disagree. You're taking a total biblical stance on this issue, and that is FINE so long as you're in a forum discussing "truth". This is about whether women can be in combat with the same effectiveness as men (and let's face it; combat means being willing to blast the enemy before he / she blasts you). I am a woman, and I have no doubts if someone broke into my home and threatened my family, I would fire first. However, having said that, the 'front line' is not for me. I'd hesitate. That does not mean "all" women would hesitate, and it does not mean they should stand down based 'merely' on who holds what role. Again, I see what you're saying biblically... but when it comes to WAR and the front lines - he / she who can pull the trigger happens to be the best suited for the job (and more than likely has a very strong grasp on truth). Just my two cents!

Get with the times. I served 6 years in the US Army with females. Some of them were the best officers and NCOs i had the honor of serving with. Let me see some of you say that crap to a female Marine and see how fast you change your tune. They have the right to serve and fight just like men do. I think some of you wouldnt last 10 minutes with some of these women.

Hey Bill, when your daughter is old enough to enlist, you don't have the right to "allow"anything. She'll be an adult.

It is not about what you want or what you think. It is about the right of the individual to choose what they want to do with their lives and their careers. try to keep with the topic at hand, which is the right of any individual in this country to do the kinds of jobs that they are mentally and physically able to do, without being prevented from that by irrelevant prejudices.

If/when the draft is revived, deal with that, then. At this point, very few individuals in the military, men or women, actually go into anything resembling combat. The military represents an outstanding career choice with many excellent benefits, an opportunity that hundreds of thousands of women have been able to access thanks to the tireless efforts of those who fight for their right to do so.

If someone wants to do the job and they can do the job, you and I have no right to tell them no because we don't think they should do it.

"Israel tried women in combat roles and came to the conclusion it was a complete failure, I don't think they are ready for the horror's of war."

WRONG!!! Israel pulled women from combat because of public reaction to female soldiers in body bags. But now they see children (or bits of children) in body bags from the homicide bombers, so they're getting over that queasy stomach. God, I just HATE it when some stupid man says "women just can't handle it" - apparently there are alot of GUYS who "can't handle it" either. Gender's got nothing to do with it.

India has women in helicopter pilots and nurses/ doctors..etc.but no way in hell are we gonna risk women in combat. This is the 3rd largest army in the world and enough research proves that women are not suitable for combat...notwithstanding the PC lobby worldwide.

KMOMMA...let me give u rose..well s aid.

I agree that war is a rotten option all the way around. That does not mean that the FETs do not serve a valuable puprose.
MMAI, what will you say if one of these women gets a tip about an ambush laid for your group and relays it in time to save your tail? Will you at least be grateful then?

well CAS that would not happen..for the simple fact that men on that part of the world would never speak to another female...much less a American female and i have yet to see a female soldier speak and talk Pushtu,Darin fluently . but if they did course i would be gratefully...BUT we are speaking the psyhical aspects of the job..not the language.

Therein lies the advantage - the men there so totally disregard their women that they don't usually even notice their presence. They can be overheard. Think an unhappy woman won't "let something slip" that she overheard? Think again.

hahaha..maybe CAS, but she better be fluent in those languages, Darin,Pushtu is way harder then Arabic.

No doubt they are, but that is part of what these women learn, MMAI. The more they can talk to the Afghan women, the more they can learn. Personally, I'd be learning as much of the language as possible, studying in off-duty hours, for that precise reason. Keep the ears open, and you never know what benefits may arise.

couldnt agree more, keep our soldiers both male and female safe, and hope they all make it home safe!! after all thats what really matters the most!!

As a former female law enforcement officer I have this to say. I've carried my brain into situations that I've seen males forget to bring along.

You must be President of the He Man Woman Haters Club.

No, I am President of the Equal Work for Equal Pay Club. If you don't know what I am talking about, just go to any construction site.

JobSeeker,

I thought it was because the female has the smarts and the man has the brawn. That is said in jest but it is no less stupid than your statement.

Marine mom-2775802

It's not a statement. It's a fact. Like I said, go to any construction site and watch the women working with the men in the labor jobs. The men have to carry all the heavy loads while the women carry all the lighter loads. And they get paid the same.

Not true JobSeeker. San Diego has all women fire crews, and many large cities do pair two female officers together.

jo-2775866

I bet they are not paired together in the drug-infested and gang areas of San Diego or any other city.

Poor Jobseeker... I see you haven't found work. Perhaps there is a reason why - like being a misongynistic jerk who can't wrap his mind around the fact that the world has changed.

You're seeing it in a negative light. The man may be there to do the "heavy lifting" so to speak, but the woman will be there to do the translation work, coordination, oversight etc. See the article where the women marines are learning basic pashun for example. Men and women are paired up in order to build upon their strengths. They are a team.

differnet

It is a sure sign someone has lost the debate when all he or she has are name calling and jokes about one's display name. Very childish of you.

The man may be there to do the "heavy lifting" so to speak, but the woman will be there to do the translation work, coordination, oversight etc.

Deep6, such stereotyping and quite frankly insulting. Men have the muscles, women have the brains. Is that it?

Actually, I never bothered to debate you Jobseeker. What's the point. I don't bother to "cast my pearls before swine." I just call them the pigs they are.

@differnet -- While I completely disagree with Jobseeker's opinions, I'm wondering why you can't seem to also disagree without name calling and insults. Apparently your mother never taught you how to "fight fair."

Funny JobSeeker... it seems to me that, before I went back to school and got a better job, my work at a farm supply store involved a LOT of heavy lifting. Did it for a year and a half and most of the men I loaded feed for asked me "Just HOW do you manage to keep going like that when you're loading feed/stacking hay...etc?"

jobseeker...the op ions u have expressed even though TRUE and factual will never be accepted an always ridiculed...

Ooh-Rah! Hat's off to your sister!

yea right,..give them a 70 pd ruck w/full battle load and stick them up by tora bora and lets see if they can hump even a mile straight up...then they can talk smack..

Not you again. I thought we were rid of you and your liberal garbage.

A little short tale... after I retired from the Corps I was in a large, volunteer search and rescue organization. My particular team was certified by the Mountain Rescue Association. 70-pound rucks? I can tell everyone that there are civilian women out there packing that kind of gear all the time at altitudes most people, including some mis-informed posters here, have only seen in pictures. Oh, and helping carry a litter with a patient in it as well.

So I'm confident these Marines can pack the gear.

I had probably 25% women in my unit and given that people have different strengths and weaknesses (regardless of gender) I found the women working to their strengths tended to do better than the men who's strengths were in the same tasks. Mainly the more complex, instinct-driven jobs. And no problems with the physical work. Changing huge truck tires, hauling heavy comm gear; no issues. Any weaklings, male or female, that join up, get sorted pretty fast.

Yeah, and none of those things can happen to a male? What's your point?

Those are pretty tired arguments you are trotting out there. If a man or a woman want to be soldiers and they are able to perform the duties that the various roles in the military demand, then that is their choice and you have no right to interfere with it. They know the dangers and your implication they they do no is pretty condescending.

Hundreds of women have already been wounded / killed in the Middle East since 2001. American women have always been in the US military, since the Revolution, they have always been in danger, always fought for our country, and you dishonor them by insisting that they conform to your narrow-minded ideas about what you think they should or should not be, or do.

And if you think that it is not possible for captured male soldiers to be just as horribly and similarly abused then, well, you are really very naive and sheltered.

what ass are they whipping?

@me,myself,andI: They are working with the women in the community to gain their trust and support. That is something a man cannot do in their society.

My guess is that you never learned or understood that the only way to have an impact on the insurgency is to gain the confidence of the locals and in their society you must get to the women and childrren.

So, my advice to you is to shut you pie hole and learn something about your topic before sticking both feet in it.

iam will to bet that u have never served so why dont u shut yours....

Look at the picture of the woman blowing the bubble gum in front of the children. She couldn't weigh more than 90 pounds. I don't know about you, but if I get blown up, I want someone who can take me on his shoulder.

Weight has little to do with strength. I've trained with 90 pound women that can bench press 185 pounds and squat 225. I admire our women in combat situations for their courage and dedication and they are deserving of nothing but our respect.

Admiration and respect is fine. But when bullets and grenades are flying, I want my son to be paired with a man.

I can't tell how much she weighs by that picture. She's slim, but 90 lbs? I seriously doubt it, more like 110-120 but that's just a guess. I've heard that crap about "can a 110 lb woman drag a 220 lb man out of the line of fire?" First, most women weigh more than that, and second, could a 110 lb MAN do that? I got a novel idea, let's find some 110 lb men AND women, and a 220 lb volunteer, and have a dragging contest! The answer might surprise you.

We're talking war and real lives here, not some game.

Jobseeker.. like you've been to war. Closest you've probably ever come is a video game.

differnet

Libs like you have never seen a battlefield, yet you seem to have alot to say about war, especially when it was Bush's war. Since Obama has escalated the war and projecting an end no sooner than 2014 and extended the Patriot Act, you libs have been very quiet.

Great photos! I hope they come back home in one peace, I dont see any girls in my town any more! oh the army took them! dont ask dont tell!! right!! I see why we have so much adult movies! so you dont ask and dont tell?

Hey JobSeeker... Ex-Army and Gulf War. You haven't a clue.

JobSeeker, if you aren't too old - by all means - ENLIST and try and take over the duties of one of these women.