Essay Sample on Women in Combat

Introduction

Both men and women in uniform are critical assets of the armed forces. Women have been involved in the armed forces for many years despite reactions from many debates concerning their capability in combat. In the United States, equality between men and women is very important. However, there are those who argue that extending the same rights to women is controversial because it challenges the societal perception of gender roles, readiness and effectiveness of the military. Females join the armed forces for the same reasons males do; selfless dedication, patriotism, and love for their country. Women's readiness to serve cannot be achieved unless they are given the same responsibilities as men within the armed forces units. Females in the military should be integrated with males and treated with the same measure with regards to roles and responsibilities.

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Charles Rangel, a former war veteran, and a civil rights activist, states that for real equality, the United States should consider reinstating the draft for shared sacrifice in U.S wars. He points out that less than 1 percent of the U.S population is in service and this has detrimental effects on those active individuals who serve in the military forces (Rangel). Over the years, overexposure of military personnel to combat has seen unprecedented outcomes with increased incidences of post-traumatic stress disorder among veterans. As such, there is the need for a shared burden of military service across a broader spectrum of the U.S population. He asserts that giving equal opportunities to all Americans regardless of their gender, race, sexual orientation and economic status would discourage repeated service form military troops thus protecting their mental health. Adopting a Universal National Service mandating two years of service requirement for U.S. Citizens Aged 18-25 will unify the country, protect the troops and ensure fairness in the military (Rangel).

Taking the critical step of allowing women in combat is a significant milestone in the nation's spirit of equality and share of the burden for the disproportionate number of military personnel putting their life on the line for the sake of the country. Like any other person in the United States, women to have personal responsibilities and individual rights which define them. They too have an obligation to participate in what they desire, including serving in the military. Therefore, women should be assigned to tasks which they can pass a test to qualify, including deployment to battlefronts. Military missions are usually based on defense for our country. A woman should not be denied the opportunity to make the ultimate sacrifice for their country on the basis of gender roles and responsibilities. As long as they are capable of being well-trained and show bravery skills as men they are competent for the job.

James Lacey states that the United States does not need a military draft for the shared burden. He points out none of the combined Joint Chief of Staff has asked for a renewed draft and therefore there is no need for one. He says that these men are professionals with the first-hand experience from Vietnam War and their preference for highly trained professional force over half trained short-servicing draftees should not be challenged whatsoever (Lacey). Ideally, such kind of an argument discriminates against conscription of women during national emergencies.

Conclusion

Females should be included in the drafts. Cultural ideas of the past have placed males and females in different spheres of life. For a long time, the military has been a male-dominated task force. Recently, wars of aggression have enabled many females to question the morality of the 1973 closure of military draft for selective service. There is nothing like selective equality. Women are capable of serving in different capacities of the military and not necessarily in combat as argued by many critics who are against the draft. Moreover, non-selective participation fosters a sense of community and civic engagement of all volunteer citizens of the United States.

Works Cited

Lacey, Congressman. "The Argument: Should America Reinstate The Draft? We need trained soldiers, not a horde of draftees | The Saturday Evening Post". Saturdayeveningpost.Com, 2018, http://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2013/01/08/in-the-magazine/reinstate-draft.html/2. Accessed 29 July 2018.

Rangel, Defense Expert. "The Argument: Should America Reinstate The Draft? The draft would compel us to share the sacrifice | The Saturday Evening Post". Saturdayeveningpost.Com, 2018, http://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2013/01/08/in-the-magazine/reinstate-draft.html/2. Accessed 29 July 2018.