women in special forces

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Many argue that Special Forces can improve with women in the ranks. Activists protest that women and men are equal. Some officers declare that for women to reach top levels of command, the opportunity to serve in Special Forces is a necessity. Scientifically, there are statistics and studies that reveal that there are some women capable of enduring the stresses and endurance required of Special Forces soldiers. I agree that women should hold positions in Special Operations Forces (SOF) and can augment certain missions, but I do not believe women should be included as CMF-18 on a Special Forces Operational Detachment – Alpha (SFODA). Many of the arguments and statistics focus on best case scenarios that lack consideration regarding deployments to austere environments with associated health risk, seem to ignore active-duty female experienced-based opinions and disregards studies on physical and mental stress that contradicts the suggestion. Many austere environments Special Forces deploy to initially lack infrastructure supportive of females needs. “Optimally, soldiers should have access to a shower or bath every day, or at least once every week for good personal hygiene.” The recommendation to shower weekly is for males and females, but goes further to explain female soldiers should, at a minimum, sponge bathe daily to prevent yeast or urinary track infections. A friend’s first trip to Jolo, Philippines in 2005 did not afford his SFODA the capability to flush our toilet, much less take weekly showers. Only after they hung rain gutters on every piece of corrugated steel, built a 50’x250’ water catch and transitioned into the rain season were they able to ensure enough water for first drinking and cooking needs, second f... ... middle of paper ... ...ffering Post Traumatic Stress Disorder at a substantially higher rate and of a more serious nature than men, despite the fact that they are exposed to substantially less combat danger. Thus, women may be less likely than men to kill and more likely to pay a heavy psychological cost for it when they do." In closing, female soldiers will have a difficult career as a Special Forces soldier. Although many women have a strong opinion and stand on their rights, if given the opportunity not many women would volunteer to be Special Forces. Special Forces often deploy to austere environments unsupportive of female requirements. Additionally, studies, statistics and first-hand opinions offer accurate assessments of females in combat roles. SOF should continue to employ female soldiers, but should not include them permanently on SFODAs as CMF-18 Special Forces soldiers.

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