G.I. Jane

THE NY TIMES has an interesting article by Lizette Alvarez, "G.I. Jane Breaks the Combat Barrier as War Evolves". It's about the experience of women in the conflict in Iraq. In a Taliban wonderland, women cannot go to school or have a job; in Saudi, they are forbidden to drive; in Iraq, they collect Silver and Bronze Star combat medals.

Military women said they were encouraged by the words of Representative John M. McHugh, the nominee for Army secretary, who just four years ago supported a failed push in Congress to restrict the role of women in combat zones. 

At his Senate hearing in July, Mr. McHugh, Republican of New York, sought to allay concern. “Women in uniform today are not just invaluable,” he said, “they’re irreplaceable.” He added that he would look to expand the number of jobs available to them.

In Mr. Baumann’s view, the reality on the ground long ago outpaced the debate. 

“We have crossed that line in Iraq,” he said. “Debate it all you want folks, but the military is going to do what the military needs to do. And they are needing to put women in combat.”

Worth the read.