
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, February 12, 1995                   TAG: 9502110005
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: G-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: ROBERT M. WIATT
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

SEXES WON'T MIX WELL IN COMBAT

I'M WRITING in hope that I might clear up some facts about women in ground-combat units. There has been a lot of dancing around this matter in the past several years, but very few down-to-earth facts. I write as an ex-combat infantryman with the 101st Airborne Division in World War II, with experience in the physical, physiology, psychological, sanitation and supply problems that are faced by front-line ground-combat troops.

Let me make two things quite clear: First, I'm sure there are women who have the physical and psychological makeup to perform in such situations. Second, I'm not in any way against women who want to serve their country. My intent is simply to point out some facts and situations sure to arise that would make a mixed-sex ground-combat unit ineffective.

House Speaker Newt Gingrich has made mention of rolling around in a muddy ditch. He failed to mention that a ditch, muddy or not, is good protection from enemy fire. I know of a case where soldiers were killed because they didn't want to stay in a muddy hole.

Gingrich also failed to mention that warm, dry clothing was a thing of luxury for many soldiers. I've seen times when even a change of underwear might not be had for weeks at a time. A chance to get out of the line for a bath might not come for months.

I don't know just what Gingrich meant when referring to infection or disease. But I do know that under menstrual conditions when proper sanitation isn't or cannot be used, women are subject to septic shock, a bacterial infection of the blood that can be deadly.

As to supply, my experience was that we were lucky to get food, water and ammunition as needed. If we add feminine sanitary supplies and perhaps PMS (pre- or post-menstrual syndrome) medication to this list of essential supply items, the problem would be greatly increased.

I simply cannot imagine the problems that a company officer would face if he had to lead a sexually mixed group into combat. One would expect that at least a part of the group would be in a premenstrual or menstrual state.

Bonding is most essential among combat personnel. You must feel that you are, to some extent, secure with persons that you really know and can depend on. Would sex have a damaging effect on the individuals' feeling of security? I think it would.

My service in the military is well behind me, thus I don't have to worry about being caught in the problems and situations above. I just hope these problems never come up in the future.

Robert M. Wiatt of Blacksburg, who is retired, was associate director of food service at Virginia Tech.

by CNB