It was reported that one Commander in the Iraq theater intends to strenuously enforce military code which prohibits soldiers from becoming pregnant while in a combat zone.
- When either a male or a female join the military service they vow to uphold Corps First and the Mission.
Pregnancy severely impacts the continuity of the strength of the force. It removes trained and valuable components from the field of battle and leaves the unit short staffed.
- This is not an issue which discriminates upon women. If a woman chooses the Military for her career, and is deployed to a war zone, it is her responsibility to honor all military code. Calling this a discriminatory issue is asinine.
Maj. Gen. Anthony Cucolo, Commander of the Multi-National Division-North in Iraq has generated standing orders for soldier’s under his command; General Order 1, bans female soldiers from getting pregnant. But the order doesn’t just hold women accountable, male soldiers fall under the same guidance and responsibility.
- An act of indiscretion could put lives in jeopardy. A woman who is pregnant may or may not be able to execute her job efficiently. The result could be disastrous for other soldiers. Currently women are serving as helicopter pilots, medics, radar technicians, intelligence and other vital support positions.
If women want to be equal to men they need to accept the fact they are there to do a job and act accordingly.
- They are not there under normal life circumstances. Every man who ever served in war made sacrifices. Sometimes those sacrifices were to endure inhuman conditions. Abstaining from sex while in a war zone is not exactly cruel and unusual punishment.
The battle field is not a place for romance or deep emotional entanglements. The distractions are dangerous and often cloud good judgment. Failure to use your head can cost innocent lives.
- Long term birth control products are available for those who simply cannot abstain from sexual encounters. For the good of the service, any women who engages in consequential sex should be willing to take those precautions.
Cucolo defended the rules, which took effect for his 22,000 soldiers when he took over in northern Iraq in November, as necessary to retain combat power as U.S. forces prepare to withdraw from Iraq by the end of 2011.
- This is not currently a blanket enforcement imposed on all troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. At present it only affects 22,000 troops. The Navy is also looking at a similar policy should women be allowed to serve on nuclear submarines.
Cucolo's command includes some of the most dangerous areas of Iraq, where ethnic and sectarian rivalries have fueled an ongoing insurgency.
- The soldiers will not face a general court, but there are several reprimand options that command has at its disposal and for some, it will be permanently entered into their service records.
The military is no place for "powder puffs". Either adhere to the code of conduct or get out!
___________________________________________
Comments(18)