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Kristen Arroyo

Ms. Ervin

Sophomore English

3 March 2016

Taking Sides Essay

Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Napoleon Bonaparte, and Robert E. Lee—

what do these men have in common? Military greatness. Throughout history, warfare has

always been a male-dominated practice. However, ever since the American Revolution,

women have increasingly involved themselves in war. Although women remain the

minority, making up only about sixteen percent of the armed forces today, more than

ninety-five percent of military positions are open to female soldiers (McGraw 7). When

discussing women’s service in the military there are two main views that need attention.

The first female solider is unknown, but the history of women in American war

goes back to the 1770’s. According to Kate McGraw, one of the earliest American female

soldiers was a woman by the nickname of Molly Pitcher, who during the American

Revolution took her husband’s job operating the canon. Starting in 1901, women have

officially participated in American warfare, most commonly as nurses, especially during

the World Wars. Later on, during the months following September 11, 2001, more than

300,000 servicewomen were sent to the Middle East. The number of female

servicewomen had increased since then, having women total at about 355,900 of the

armed forces by 2012. Former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta finally lifted the bans

that withheld ground combat jobs from servicewomen in January of 2013 (McGraw).
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Since women became a major part in the military, research for woman’s health

and wellbeing was needed. To respond to the increase of female servicewomen, Congress

provided $40 million toward the research of women’s health in the military (McGraw 7).

The most important issues regarding the well being of female soldiers are menstruation

cycles and pregnancy, operational environment, and common health risks. As stated by

Victoria Tepe, pregnancies that are unintentional are more common among military

officers than civilian people (Tepe 112). Pregnancy can affect not only the mother, but

also her fellow soldiers, because a pregnant soldier is not allowed to deploy and her

absence will create a hole in her unit. Tepe also said that one common health condition

among basic trainee women is iron deficiency anemia, which is caused by consuming too

little iron. This condition can lead to poor performance and discomfort for the woman

(Tepe 113). According to McGraw, periods can also be hard for female soldiers, because

not having sanitary places to tend to them selves can cause health issues, such as urinary

tract and yeast infections. Dirty battlefield environments cause for female soldiers to be at

a higher risk of illness and may put a damper on their performance as a soldier (McGraw

10). These are all issues that are less likely to personally affect male soldiers.

When talking about men and women’s physiological differences, it is important to

consider a few things that make men more valuable in front line battles. The body

composition of men and women are very different, with the strength of a woman’s upper-

body being on average 40 to 60% less than that of a man, her lower-body being 25 to

30% lower. There are major differences between a man and woman’s musculoskeletal,

hormonal, and respiratory systems as well. Women are also at a higher risk of stress

fractures than men (McGraw 9). With women being physically weaker and smaller than
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men, the performance of front-line soldiers during time sensitive duties, such as rucking

with heavy equipment or scaling walls, can be harder to accomplish for the whole unit.

To avoid physical problems on the front lines, all soldiers are required to prepare

for combat and take the Physical Fitness Test (PFT), which is an example of inequality

between women and men. The purpose of the PTF is to evaluate a soldier’s physical

strengths and abilities, and to test the said soldier’s endurance and cardio-repertory

fitness. This test is required for all soldiers, and only the ones who pass can graduate

from boot camp and go on to Advanced Infantry Training. According to Smith, the three

events of the PTF are two minutes of push-ups, two minutes of sit-ups, and a timed two-

mile run. The requirements for a male aged 22-26 are 31 push ups, 43 sit ups, and a 17

minute, 30 second (or lower) 2-mile run. The requirements for a female aged 22-26 are

11 push-ups, 43 sit-ups, and a 20 minute, 36 second run (Smith). It is unfair for males

that women who are enlisting for the same job get to pass easier.

One reason women should be allowed into the military is the needs of her

psychological health. While it is true that men and women are physiologically different in

many ways, male and female soldiers require the same psychological attention. McGraw

says that while concerning solder’s mind health, men and women are more similar than

different by means of emotional damage from war and its long-term effects (McGraw

10). Issues regarding a soldier’s mental needs is not limited by gender, so both men and

women require the same amount of psychological attention.

Some may try to argue that sexual assault is a key factor as to why females should

not participate in the military, but that argument is invalid since sexual assault/abuse can

happen to anyone. Sexual assault against both women and men is a problem, having been
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proven to affect the victim’s psychological health negatively, and not only that one

person, but their whole unit too (McGraw 10). Tepe said, “Specifically, 9% of military

women report experiencing sexual coercion; 31% report some form of unwanted sexual

attention; 52% report exposure to other sexual behavior; and 54% report experiencing

sexist behavior,” (Tepe 111). However, not only women experience sexual assault.

Andrew Tilghman said that although military women are more likely to be sexually

assaulted, there are more male victims in terms of total numbers per year (Tilghman).

Sexual assault is a problem for both genders, not just women.

Another reason why women should be allowed in the military is equality.

Allowing women into the military creates a sense of equality and diversity. Opportunities

for people to serve their country should not be limited by gender. Allowing women to

participate in combat also expands on the number of potential soldiers, making the army

stronger by numbers, and gives everyone a fair shot at being an American soldier.

Many believe that with the continuous growing number of women in combat, the

US military should continue to support its female soldiers. However, with the unique

health risks that women in the military face and the other weakening factors, some may

argue that women in combat can become very problematic. As researchers learn more

about the needs of women in the military, more precautions can be taken to avoid

woman’s health issues and help strengthen the military as a whole.

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Works Cited

McGraw, Kate, Tracey Perez Koehlmoos, and Elspeth Cam Ritchie. "Women In Combat:

Framing The Issues Of Health And Health Research For America's

Servicewomen." Military Medicine 181.(2016): 7-11. Academic Search Elite.

Web. 27 Jan. 2016.

Smith, Stew. "Army Basic Training PFT." Military.com. The U.S. Military, n.d. Web. 01

Feb. 2016. <http://www.military.com/military-fitness/army-fitness-

requirements/army-basic-training-pft>.

Tepe, Victoria, et al. "Women In Combat: Summary Of Findings And A Way Ahead."

Military Medicine 181.(2016): 109-118. Academic Search Elite. Web. 29 Jan.

2016.

Tilghman, Andrew. "Report: Hazing Fuels Male-On-Male Sex Assaults." Military Times.

Sightline Media Group, 1 May 2015. Web. 3 Mar. 2016.

<http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/crime/2015/05/01/sex-assaults-

report/26649065/>.