Women and Military Service

In the present age when women are demanding parity with men in all walks of life, the inevitable question arises whether women are equal to men as soldiers. Most armies of the world including the United States, Russia and India have started enlisting women in the armed forces. But the million dollar question remains as to how efficient or potent women are as soldiers compared to men.

Woman as Camp Followers

Right from ancient times women did accompany men into combat but not as soldiers but as ‘camp followers’ an euphuism for good company. They provided comfort and sex to the soldiers after the heat of battle. Camp followers have been seen in the American Civil war as well as the British campaigns in the sub continent.

But modern armies do not have camp followers. They are thought to be an anachronism and not in consonance with good order and discipline. However women are recruited as soldiers and airmen to be along with the men. They are not given the tag of ‘comfort women’ but do add a feminine touch. But it cannot be denied that a woman because of biological limitations would find it a shade difficult to function as a soldier.

The limitations are a gift of God. Thus her periods coupled with lack of physical strength can be a limiting factor. The BSF (Border Security Force) in India recently recruited a battalion of women and placed them close to the Pakistan border inviting snide remarks from the Pakis that they would be ‘under’ the Indian army officers.

Women in Modern Armies

The US defense forces are recruiting women in its 3 wings. But their deployment in Iraq during the first Iraq war was not a success. An Iraqi attack resulted in a few women recruits being taken POW’s with not very happy results.

The incident at Tailhook when 14 women naval officers were stripped and molested by US airmen also comes to mind. It shows the frailty of a woman as a soldier and combatant. What can be the solution to such an incident? In addition an AK 47/56 or the American rifle along with a knapsack can be heavy stuff and for a woman to lug it around and yet face an enemy can only be termed a mismatch.

The Future

The question is whether a woman in the armed forces can have a beneficial effect on men in the trenches and the air bases. We must ask ourselves whether the efficiency, morale, and fighting spirit of the combat unit in the trenches or on the warship at sea will be enhanced by recruiting women. This is the real issue and all other discussions are specious.

Last Word

Generally the presence of women in the combat zone can be beneficial for the men. May be, not for actual combat but for other roles. Their presence will fulfill an emotional need of the soldier as well. In that manner the effect can be positive. They could be used as guards of POW patients, running military canteens and similar non combatant jobs. But to think that they can shoulder arms or manage themselves as soldiers in battle conditions would be a little farfetched

About the Author

MG Singh is an ex Air Force Officer who took premature retirement.He is an aluminus of the staff collge and after retirement has been in the corporate field as a Vice President and Director. Qualified in law and management MG has penned 2 novels and is a significant writer on the net with over 1000 articles.

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