SUN HERALD | Editorial: Women deserve chance to serve U.S. in combat

Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter should ignore our congressman's complaints and go ahead with his plan to allow women to serve in combat roles.

Rep. Steven Palazzo, once a Marine, cited a Marine Corps study that he said proves combat units with both men and women don't perform as well as all-male units. Palazzo, though, admits he is relying on only a piece of the study.

He called on the Marines to release the whole study but it hasn't.

However, there are portions of the study that have filtered out other than the four pages released by the Marines.

The Guardian newspaper got its hands on some of them.

And, it reports the study found mixed gender units had better discipline and were best at problem solving.

All male units were better at carrying heavy equipment on long hikes and had lower injury rates, according to the four page released by the Marines, the Guardian noted.

The fact is, not every man in military service is qualified to take on combat missions.

The same is true of women. And that should be the standard. Not the sex of the individual in question.

Women shouldn't be denied the rewards, such as more rapid advancement, that often come to those who fight.

Some have suggested that America is not ready to see footage of a woman tortured, blown up or decapitated in combat or as a prisoner of war.

But, Americans, at least those polled disagree. There is strong support in the latest polls for women in combat.

More than 20 nations allow women in combat, including most of our staunchest allies.

The United States should join them.

This story was originally published December 16, 2015 at 5:33 AM with the headline "SUN HERALD | Editorial: Women deserve chance to serve U.S. in combat ."