Two women will become Army Rangers tomorrow!

[Ralphy1]

They are the first to survive the grueling tests and proved that a few women can keep up with men on a physical basis. Some said it couldn't be done. I will lift my martini in their honor today and you might want to salute them in some way, too...

 

[Shalimar]

I am so pleased Ralphy. Equal opportunity at last. Hope Canada follows suit. I shall down a shot of Southern Comfort on their honour later today. Salut!

 

[SifuPhil]

An equal opportunity to die - talk about Pyrrhic victories ...

 

[Falcon]

I wish them well. Also, many women are airplane pilots, both military and civilian.

If they can qualify, under the same rules, what's gender have to do with it?

 

[WhatInThe]

special treatment?

The women got special treatment which included not carrying the same equipment, not carrying heavy weapons such as machine gun and got pre training men don't get. The women were also allowed to re-do parts of the course.

http://www.people.com/article/females-rangers-army-congressman-letter

 

[Debby]

An equal opportunity to die - talk about Pyrrhic victories ...

Kind of ironic eh?

But I'll certainly give them credit for their hard work and determination.

 

[Shalimar]

Hmmm. Perhaps the fact that supposedly the best snipers in the world are women may factor in here. Ask the Peshmergas. We also respond well to periods of long term stress.

 

[Ralphy1]

Yes, the best sniper during WW2 was a Russian female with over six hundred kills as I recall...

 

[SifuPhil]

Yes, the best sniper during WW2 was a Russian female with over six hundred kills as I recall...

Never even heard of her. I DID hear about that one guy - a Finn, I think - who took out a bunch of Russians with an old bolt action rifle in the middle of winter ...

Found him - Simo Häyhä - 705 confirmed kills.

 

[WhatInThe]

The Marines recently released a study showing all male combat units out performed units with women.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/...ntry-units-outperformed-teams-women/71971416/

It's just 'a' study. With a seemingly timed release around the graduation of female Rangers. Women definitely can play a role in the military and combat but are they an interchangeable part in a combat unit like the average male soldier, maybe not.