What challenges do you think women still face in the military today? What is your view of women serving in combat positions?

In January 2016, the American armed services lifted the ban on women serving in positions of direct combat. What challenges do you think women still face in the military today? What is your view of women serving in combat positions?

Women are still considered the weaker sex especially in the military I believe. Physically this is probably true but in terms of perseverance, courage or moral fortitude I would say women are equal to men. Women serving in combat face a true uphill battle in being accepted as a comrade in arms. Although they must pass rigorous tests to be chosen for combat duty it must still be a daily test for them to prove they are worthy.

I think there is and always will be sexism in the military. I think women are generally stronger in the mental capacity, physically, I think some women are stronger or as strong as men. I think if a woman can prove herself worthy to be in combat, she should be given the same opportunity to serve as a man.

I don't believe that the men in the armed services all feel that women have equal rights. There has been several stories lately about women being abused in the service. I would not want to be in combat, however, I feel women that do should have that right.

I know a retired army major general who thinks women have no place in combat. I’m not even sure he thinks they should be in the military at all. What if they get pregnant (he asks)? What if they have affairs with their comrades (must be their fault, right?)? Frankly, I don’t understand why women would want to serve in combat because I don’t understand why men want to. But “combat” is somewhat different now. More weapons are operated electronically, and hand to hand combat is on the decrease. Strength is important, but smarts are equally so. Women can compete—just look at who the top grads at West Point have been recently.

Just because the law was changed to allow women in combat positions two years ago doesn't mean that all of a sudden women will be accepted in these new situations. Any change in policy (and yes, this one is a biggie!) takes time, often years and years, for it to be smoothly transitioned and accepted. I'm thinking that people who are new to the military will have little issue with women in combat, because that's the standing policy when they enter the service. Those who have served in the armed forces for years are likely to have more difficulty fully accepting the change.

My daughter joined the Navy and had a good experience. She learned a lot and gained a lot of confidence and I am so very proud of her.

You hear of women being raped in the military. I personally think it is a dangerous place to be. But someone has to start somewhere to get it going. I'm 66 years old I can't imagine it.

Even though women take on a far more active role in the military they are still looked at as inferior and that they cant handle active combat. I do not agree. Its just like being LEO, if you sign up for that type of commitment you know that you are capable of handling it.

Sexism is the most prevalent problem and challenge. Yet I have a niece who joined the Navy after high school and then her daughter joined the Air Force after high school and each received her master's degree through the service; there couldn't be enough positive remarks these two can give about the military.

My husband is retired Marine and was never too happy when a woman Marine became one of his charges. There was definite sexism during those years and when one of his women Marines did well he was surprised, but very pleased. And he does not believe women should be in combat. There's still more progress to be had, but I feel there is light at the end of the military tunnel!

It's important for women to have the option of joining the military. The fact that a woman has chosen to enlist should give the same level of professional consideration as any other person, male or female, who has chosen military service. As all aspects of military service are rapidly changing to reflect how this service may be most effectively developed, the quality of military experience can be greatly improved thru the contributions of a broad spectrum of skills, background knowledge and the very different goals for a military presence both within our borders & throughout the world. Serving in combat positions is one of the most important aspects of military service which should not be based on genetic criteria which has very little to do with the goals or success of any given mission. Women serving in combat positions have as much to recommend them as their male counterparts. Ideally, both military & non-military personnel are committed to the outcome most conducive to the challenges being met as creatively & positively as any planning for that particular conflict.