The Camouflage Ceiling

As another military milestone was reached this week, I can’t help but think about heroic female soldiers.  SPC Lori Ann Piestewa was the first woman in the U.S. armed forces killed in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. This was the same devastating attack in which Jessica Lynch was injured and captured.  Although these women soldiers were not assigned to combat duty and were attacked during a caravan, this high-profile attack instigated a discussion of women in combat.  Nearly ten years later, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has cleared the way for women to serve in combat duty. He stated that it is, “the responsibility of every citizen to protect the nation.”

Are we one step closer to eliminating the camouflage ceiling?  For years many military women have felt it was unfair that qualified women were not able to perform in combat. Beyond that, few women achieved the ranks of top brass.  With the combat ban lifted, is the next battle to increase the promotion rate of qualified female leaders?  That’s the hope of many military women.

How will the change impact the safety of our military as a whole and our country?  It may not have a big impact on the battle field.  Panetta said that the standards for combat positions will not be lowered.  Women and men must adhere to the same mental and physical standards to perform in combat.  That offsets the argument that men and women will be less secure due to weaker soldiers (women) in the field.  Men and women will be placed in positions based on their skills and ability.

The bottom line is that the disqualification based on gender alone has been removed.  A big “hooah!” to the fine women and men who serve our country.  They sacrifice so much to protect us all.  They elect to serve in a way that most of us do not have the courage, commitment, and skill to do.  

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The Camouflage Ceiling

As another military milestone was reached this week, I can’t help but think about heroic female soldiers.  SPC Lori Ann Piestewa was the first woman in the U.S. armed forces killed in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. This was the same devastating attack in which Jessica Lynch was injured and captured.  Although these women soldiers were not assigned to combat duty and were attacked during a caravan, this high-profile attack instigated a discussion of women in combat.  Nearly ten years later, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has cleared the way for women to serve in combat duty. He stated that it is, “the responsibility of every citizen to protect the nation.”

Are we one step closer to eliminating the camouflage ceiling?  For years many military women have felt it was unfair that qualified women were not able to perform in combat. Beyond that, few women achieved the ranks of top brass.  With the combat ban lifted, is the next battle to increase the promotion rate of qualified female leaders?  That’s the hope of many military women.

How will the change impact the safety of our military as a whole and our country?  It may not have a big impact on the battle field.  Panetta said that the standards for combat positions will not be lowered.  Women and men must adhere to the same mental and physical standards to perform in combat.  That offsets the argument that men and women will be less secure due to weaker soldiers (women) in the field.  Men and women will be placed in positions based on their skills and ability.

The bottom line is that the disqualification based on gender alone has been removed.  A big “hooah!” to the fine women and men who serve our country.  They sacrifice so much to protect us all.  They elect to serve in a way that most of us do not have the courage, commitment, and skill to do.  

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