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From: jkmedcal@uokmax.ecn.uoknor.edu (Jeff Medcalf)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: Women in combat MOS's
Message-ID: <1991Jun29.015343.3387@cbnews.cb.att.com>
Date: 29 Jun 91 01:53:43 GMT
References: <1991Jun22.042142.4254@cbnews.cb.att.com> <1991Jun25.024731.27841@cbnews.cb.att.com> <1991Jun27.021916.5397@cbnews.cb.att.com>
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From: jkmedcal@uokmax.ecn.uoknor.edu (Jeff Medcalf)
cash@convex.com (Peter Cash) writes:
>Now, in the name of Political Correctness, it has become fashionable to see
>the armed forces as an instrument of social policy, and as a career
>opportunity to which everyone ought to have an equal right. Sorry, but
>that's not the way it works: the armed forces exists for a social purpose,
>all right--but not for _these_ purposes. The army exists to preserve our 
>state, and our homes and families, and for no other reason whatever. 

This may not be a correct topic for this group, since it is nontechnical in
nature, but I don't know what the proper group would be.

I see the military in the classical sense:  a body which is able to further
national objectives by the use of armed force.  This includes, but is not
limited to, preserving our state, homes, and families.  It also includes many
reasons that were given for the Gulf War:  protection of vital resources for
our selves and allies, protection of friendly nations' borders, protection
of "freedom (this is not a flame, but the Kuwaitis do not define freedom the
same way that most Americans would)" and liberty, and so forth.

I do not see the armed forces as an instrument of social policy.  However, my
original argument (about women being subject to the draft) still stands.
In no case would all able-bodied men be drafted, nor would all able-bodied
women if women could be drafted.  I do think, however, that the best women
should be as available to the military as the best men.

If this is inappropriate to sci.military, please let me know.

[mod.note:  So long as postings remain rational and don't become
repetitive, I think it's appropriate.  I do think we've about covered
all the issues; I realize that arguments are unlikely to change many
peoples' opinions on this matter, and once they've all been presented,
I think the topic can be dropped.  - Bill ]

Thanks


-- 
Jeff Medcalf   jkmedcal@uokmax.{uucp|ecn.uoknor.edu}    !chinet!uokmax!jkmedcal
BoB smokes *my* pipe!           		       Triangle Fraternity ok88
In 1869, the waffle iron was invented, thus solving the annoying tendency of
waffles to wrinkle in the dryer.                        No new tale to tell.