Women in Combat Units: It's Still a Bad Idea

Abstract

Among the easiest predictions to make in this first year of the new century is that various interest groups will continue to lobby to open all US combat units to women. At least five seemingly logical arguments can be anticipated: New post-Cold War missions require finesse, not brawn. Twenty-first-century technologies are gender-neutral. An equal opportunity to serve is every American citizen's right. Cohesion does not require that soldiers bond socially, only that they accomplish their tasks effectively. Our European allies are opening their combat units to women, therefore so should we.