Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 1, 1993 TAG: 9305030256
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
It was shattered this week by Defense Secretary Les Aspin, who told the armed services they must let women fly aircraft in combat.
Hurrah! Hurrah!
To the chivalrous men who have said they want to protect women from the perils of war, servicewomen have been saying for years, "Don't do us any favors." Whether the motive was noble or not, the effect has been to deny women the combat experience needed to stand beside their brethren as equals in the military and to qualify for the highest promotions.
The risks of combat don't make this an opportunity every woman will want - but, then, not every man aspires to be a top gun, either. Male or female, those who do should be allowed to go as far as their abilities can take them.
Many women clearly have the ability to perform well in a number of combat specialties. Some 35,000 of them served successfully in the Persian Gulf War: Though working in technically non-combat jobs - as mechanics, communications specialists, medical professionals and pilots of transport planes and helicopters - that distinction is fuzzy in modern warfare, where "the front" is anywhere missiles can reach. Five women were killed in action, and two were taken prisoner by Iraq.
Unlike the proposal to allow openly gay people to serve, opening more opportunities for women appears to enjoy considerable support within the military culture. Senior military officers reportedly were planning already to open more jobs to women, based on their Gulf War performance.
Even so, some observers predict a morale problem among some men ordered to fly into combat with women. Perhaps the bigger concern should be how the women aviators will be treated. Conduct revealed by the Navy's investigation into the Tailhook scandal suggests that women who break into all-male squadrons may face not only enemies in the air, but also indignities and abuse from their male compatriots.
It will be up to the top brass to set a tone that goes beyond grudging compliance with a Defense Department directive, and makes clear that such conduct will not be tolerated.
by CNB