House panel bans women from Army positions

Washington, DC, May. 11 (UPI) -- A House Armed Services subcommittee voted along party lines Wednesday to ban women from key positions in the Army.

The ban on women in combat service support units, supported by the panel's majority Republican members, would only go into effect if it is accepted by the House and Senate in their deliberations on the 2006 defense authorization bill.

The Army opposed the measure and offered to brief members of Congress about the role women play in the Army, according to Army spokeswoman Maj. Elizabeth Robbins.

"The Army remains in strict and full compliance with Department of Defense policies," Robbins said Wednesday. "Women Soldiers have performed magnificently in all formations in which they are permitted to serve."

(more)

http://www.washtimes.com/upi-breaking/20050511-052604-2186r.htm

Does this mean women will be banned from jobs they can now hold? The article isn't very clear.

I'm so glad all these people are looking out for my sisters. :eyes:

that if you are of the female persuasion, you can't be a general. The good news is, you can still cook, clean and bandage up the male heros.

:sarcasm:

they'll bust her down to Colonel to correct their mistake.

...Congress wants them removed from "combat support" roles that may bring them under insurgent fire..

if this gets passed.

but then I see it is only restricting women from positions of authority.

I guess that will make it easier to rape them and get away with it?

:banghead:

they have wanted ever since women started advancing in the ranks.

to make decisions for the army? I don't disagree with civilian oversight...I do think said civilian oversight should know it's ass from a hole in the ground.

Definition of CSS
combat service support
(DOD) The essential capabilities, functions, activities, and tasks necessary to sustain all elements of operating forces in theater at all levels of war. Within the national and theater logistic systems, it includes but is not limited to that support rendered by service forces in ensuring the aspects of supply, maintenance, transportation, health services, and other services required by aviation and ground combat troops to permit those units to accomplish their missions in combat. Combat service support encompasses those activities at all levels of war that produce sustainment to all operating forces on the battlefield. Also called CSS. See also combat support.

They just announced the development of a new Combat Badge similar to the Combat Infantry Badge (CIB worn above all other medals including the Medal of Honor). Since women are barred from combat positions will they not be eligible for this award? Combat is a quick road to advancement and women are barred. I can not imagine why any woman would want to be in combat but that is beside the point.

...As far as I can tell women who were exposed to hostile action as a result of their close support roles will be eligible for the "combat action badge" and will well deserve it. Carping seen hereabout about this award is directed at the cheapening of the "combat infantryman's badge" a separate award issued to those in direct combat by MOS as opposed to happenstance...No ones saying it's fun to get shot at-just that the older award was only if you WORKED at it....(I sure as hell don't have one!)

"manly" work. Tomorrow Repukes will decide if women actually were given the right to vote. (sarc/off)

Actually, maybe we should thank the repub members of the HAS subcommittee for driving more military personnel to the Democratic party. Remember, Soldiers, it was Dems who voted to keep your supply lines staffed, and the Repubs who voted to strip you of support personnel.

...the post isn't about female officers and field grade promotions...Its about Roberta Recruit and her cute young semi-virginal (snarf,snarf..red state drooling) ass being killed and shipped home to Mom and Dad.In this case the army DOESN"T CARE and supports women in combat support units-it's congress that wants no grief when it's found that even the flower of southern womanhood is exposed to insurgent attack...I'm FOR women in close support units because A.They want to be there. and B.This will make some of our fellow citizens drift nearer to an anti-war stance....

What century is this? If I were going to sign up it would be under the condition I could serve in any capacity. The military better stop and think about how much they "need" women in the military not what jobs they are going to "permit" women to hold.

...the military recruiter will guarantee that.But maybe you should look at reality instead..Women have never been allowed in combat in the US military..Last week the military admitted women were coming under fire in combat support roles...this week congress is working to prevent this...Military=Almost this century...Congress=???

this country in uniform. The GOP is Hell-bent in turning the clock back to the Dark Ages. What's next for this bunch, take away the right to vote?

Women were ALWAYS allowed to die INCIDENTAL to supporting troops.But no way congress allows a POLICY that says they can die supporting combat.

...While even the south if willing to accept the overhyped "Jessica Lynch was forced into combat by mistake and STILL performed brilliantly" line, many south of the old mason dixon line are NOT ready to accept job postings that hand women M-16's and EXPECT them to operate them...Just in the last week a thread revealed women were being exposed to direct enemy action while working in close combat support and this ain't something certain republicans want recurring...

the stages/aspects of fascism........sexism, control of women. fm

If they say no, our military is doomed. Those young male Republicans are just not out there signing up. Like W, they want someone else to do the fighting. They are busy.

WASHINGTON - Women soldiers in the U.S. Army would be barred from serving in combat support units under language added to a defense bill Wednesday. Proponents of the measure said it would affect only a small number of women, while opponents said over time, it would drastically alter the face of the modern army.

The amendment sponsored by Rep. John McHugh (news, bio, voting record), R-N.Y., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee's military personnel subcommittee, would prohibit women from combat support and combat service support units.

"The current policy does not serve women well," said McHugh. "The current policy places them in a company and treats them as equal until it's time to move forward and then they have to be left behind."

Democrats on the Armed Services Committee were quick to criticize the move, saying it was sprung on them without notice and would place additional strains on the military by removing experienced women from important positions.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/women_soldiers

Anyone from fighting in this war. This thing is so freaking stupid. This senseless loss of life. It saddens me.
.

"The current policy does not serve women well," said McHugh. "The current policy places them in a company and treats them as equal until it's time to move forward and then they have to be left behind."

Isn't a combat support unit SUPPOSED to be left behind by the front-line combat units? If it went into combat with them, it wouldn't be a SUPPORT unit, would it?

Example: When an army is on the move, the tanks (combat) could break down and the combat support folks (right behind them) jump out of their vehicles and fix it, so the line can continue to advance. There is no sweet little "line in the sand" or anywhere else, no charming encampment, where the support folks sit and wait. They are right there in the mix. It ain't like the old days....

Also, in Forward Support scenarios, where they have bases or encampments up ahead of the action, you need those folks there as well. Someone has to shovel beans and bullets.

What's really funny is that a monkey went on an aircraft carrier in a flight suit costume and told everybody that major combat operations were OVER...so what's the big deal, Georgie???? Why is this an issue now???? Should we look at the map of Iraq, and look to the right...to Iran????

I didn't dream it???
:scared:
rocknation

One more step towards subjugating woman back to the kitchen and stripping them of their rights they have worked so hard to get.

As far as I can ascertain, pretty much the only job that actually requires one to have a penis is a) money shot in a porn video, and b) biological fatherhood. What on earth do genitalia have to do with combat readiness?

Sheer sophistry. The underlying purpose is clear: by barring women and gays, there are two things achieved. First is that women won't be as likely to advance, thus not threatening the masculinity of the more insecure males by being in leadership positions over them. Second, and more important, by thus denuding the ranks of the combat and combat support troops at a time when they're unable to meet recruitment goals, in order to continue their Forever War, there will be no choice but to institute a D-R-A-F-T.

If you have a teenage son, it's time to start thinking about what that might mean.

sexist assholes

combat-there is NO front line in this type of war.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/11/AR2005051101867.html

Panel Votes to Ban Women From Combat
Army Leaders Strongly Oppose House Subcommittee's Action

By Ann Scott Tyson
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, May 12, 2005; A08

Brushing aside opposition from top Army leaders, a House subcommittee approved a measure yesterday that would ban women from serving in certain support units in a bid to keep them out of "direct ground combat."
...............





.....Subcommittee Chairman John M. McHugh (R-N.Y.) said the legislation is aimed at enforcing a "no women in combat" policy, and denied it is a "Neanderthal initiative to keep women out of the Army."

Democrats on the subcommittee, however, criticized the amendment as unfair to women and warned that it could worsen recruitment a time when the Army is failing to meet enlistment goals.

"You are sending a message that women can't do this job," said Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.). Rep. Susan Davis (D-Calif.) asked, "Can we really afford to toss out 20 percent or more of the individuals who are serving so capably in these units?"........

combat pay, when truly they are at the "front" in Iraq?

Either to avoid drafting them or to justify their being drafted as "they won't be in combat zones".

all you broads out there, don't worry yore purdy little heads 'bout this. We menfolk got it all under control. Now what's fer dinner?

:evilgrin:

Will the people be more likely to accept the draft if they don't have to send their daughters? I'll bet someone thinks so.

it's meant to make the upcoming draft more palatable.

Modern warfare happens all over the place. It's not a football game with sidelines. Women are dying in Iraq along with men whether they're on the "front" or whether they're in their barracks. Our politicians are completely out of touch with reality.

If you didn't go to one of the elite military academies, and you desire to rise within the ranks in career service, combat duty is widely recognized within the Armed Forces as one of the best paths for those seeking promotion in a miltary career.

To disqualify women from combat duty effectively shuts them out from significant promotion opportunities within the Armed Forces. This is turn discourages women from considering a career in the military.

It wouldn't be my career choice, but those who want it should not be systematically shut out.

go after the repukes that offered it when election time comes to show they are people who discriminate!!!

...it makes me want to vomit.

How many fine women have already DIED, or been severely injured fighting this war?

Does this mean that since they aren't 'allowed' on the front lines, that any that are injured when they end up in a fire-fight (since there are no boundaries for this war, just like Vietnam) won't have their disabilites covered because they 'shouldn't have been there?'

I mean, these nuts don't want to pay combat pay and continued medical care after soldiers are discharged as it is, what would stop them for doing something insane like this?

this is another bone thrown to the Religious Wrong base, who has simply been in a tizzy about women being in the services at all.

Do I also think it is about giving women less pay? YES - I agree with previous posters. I believe women in the military will still end up in danger zones, but this will affect their ability to be promoted; thus, the good ol' boy network at the top will in no danger.

And the Radical Religious Wrong will be a bit happier.

Weird. Shameful.

fodder. How else to express the pro-life culture of this Administration? :sarcasm:

Protecting 'delicate' women from their 'inabilities.'

Does this mean that all the women soldiers will come home now?

Hey, its a start.

:-)

Pretty soon women won't be allowed to have jobs. They'll have to have babies and be submissive to men.

Gays will be jailed and killing them will be considered OK.

And underlying racism will be able to slide by in the courts.

Just watch guys...the fundies are going after everyone. Don't think you're safe from them.

http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues.21272015

So ladies, put on your american style burkas, spread your legs and prove you deserve not to be sent to hell.

barring women from combat; Congress does not want them even in combat support roles now because the frontline is everywhere in Iraq, and there is a high probability of their facing rebel attacks.

time to hand out the burquas and keep women locked up in the home, we wouldnt want them to get hurt and we definately dont want to offend anyones religion by giving women weapons.

Hi All. I'm new to the board and want to add my 2 cents worth. The Repugnantuglicans will ban women from combat just before they initiate the draft for males. Why you ask? Parents would be up in arms if their sweet virginal little girls got drafted. Why, it just ain't Christian. They should all be back here in the States having babies, after marriage of course, and supporting the head of the house, their husbands. With the uprising in Afghanistan and continued hostilities in Irag, we will not have enough soldiers to keep things from exploding. (already to late in my opinion). The draft is the answer. Of course Georgie Porgie will stage some terrible event to justify the draft. Of course his two daughters wont go because females will be exempt.