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Iraqvet

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Posts posted by Iraqvet

    Couples living in Hawaii.

    in Philippines

    Posted

    Panda Express is a very good company to work for. We had several filipina's over the other night that came from Hawaii and worked there. Pay and benefits is off the charts. They said in general that most everyone they knew there had a job and was doing well. They did say the cost of living was high in Honolulu.

    Mother of teen baby killers tries to cover for son.

    in Current Events and Hot Social Topics

    Posted

    What benefits? I haven't read anything about her financial situation.

    Since you are new to America i will tell you that people who resort to crime, or who have kids that are thugs and completely waist the oxygen in the air have more times than not been involved in the welfare system. I hate to stereotype, and if someone disagrees with me then they are full of it, but when i turn on the news its black no income to low income people that are always committing the crimes. I know you know this because you know everything about everything Evylin.

    Could North Korea Nuke Washington?

    in Current Events and Hot Social Topics

    Posted

    That must have been Obama's fault too...

    Meanwhile I trust nobody could really come up with a reason as to why NK would actually want to send a nuke our way...

    585628.jpg

    Whatever the reasons are, you should be able to sleep soundly with your snuggle blanket knowing that America and its fighting men and women will risks their lives to keep you safe from any attack Gegel. I pray that no NK babies are accidentally killed in the defense of America's safety and freedom. I would hate to see all of the activist activate over it.

    Woman in the Infantry?

    in Current Events and Hot Social Topics

    Posted

    I think it's safe to say that we agree that there is an unfairness to the woman at this point, but we disagree on whether this unfairness should be combatted through allowing her to serve with the infantry and condemn guys for blaming her or rather we should shield her and the guys from perhaps inevitable harassment as it would be tedious/difficult to combat or eradicate. Or at least that's how I'm interpreting our stances at the moment and both are definitely fair and understandable from my point of view.

    Perhaps we would better agree if we weren't still caught in a society that sexualizes woman while simultaneously enforcing a construct that they are the lesser gender. Thankfully, this is slowly changes as we move towards equality, but we have a long way to go. Or perhaps we would never fully agree!

    Thank you for the great debate today. Although I may disagree with certain points, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to (well, reading) your perspective and I appreciate the respect you showed for my perspective as well! It was great reading your insight.

    Well thanks! Good chattin with you. You held your own and thats good! :thumbs:

    Woman in the Infantry?

    in Current Events and Hot Social Topics

    Posted

    I can see your point, really. Unfortunately, daily sexual harassment exists in civilian life too, but judging my brother who's in the Marines, I can only assume that the sexism is further amplified there - just as homophobia was and is. I just don't believe it is fair to prohibit a woman from the opportunity if she wants to take it and is qualified to do

    It isn't fair to the woman at all to be prohibited. I don't want a woman there because I don't want to grow some sort of attachment or crush on her in the middle of a fire fight. Because I would lose focus on the mission and try to keep her safe. That scenario would happen with every other guy as well. Those men are not going to see that girl as one of the guys. Out there you will be the only opposite sex connection they will have for an extended period of time.

    Woman in the Infantry?

    in Current Events and Hot Social Topics

    Posted

    I think that men should be held accountable if/when they fight over the girl and the girl should not be punished and prohibited from an opportunity because we worry the poor boys can't handle themselves and deal with the consequences of acting out.

    I understand you. I agree that it is not the girls fault. There are good solders and marines that would respect the females presence, and theres some that wont. Trust me. If you go join the infantry. Especially in the Marine Corps, you will be verbally sexually harressed everyday that you are there if not physically harressed. And instead of the Colonel focusing on the mission, his attention will be on punishing those other idiots. The colonel will not allow you there because of that.

    Woman in the Infantry?

    in Current Events and Hot Social Topics

    Posted

    Even if people do sleep with one another (which couldn't possible ever happen between men either - no, sir), the fact that everyone is supposed to be professional as it is a dangerous and tremendously important duty to serve the infantry, there shouldn't be a case of falling out because of a girl. That argument isn't going to convince me and, hopefully, not many others.

    :wow: You think men wont fight over a girl? We will let that be your little secret. :lol:

    Woman in the Infantry?

    in Current Events and Hot Social Topics

    Posted · Edited by Iraqvet

    Well see now instead of having a rational argument you're bringing up silly arguments; all that women are good at is having babies and wearing lingerie, and that's what set us apart. You're just being ridiculous at this point.

    I don't think there are a lot of women who would want to, or that could handle being side by side with men in combat, but if they are able and want to, then all the more power to them.

    Excuse me????? I never said all women are good for is making babies and wearing lingerie. Why don't you read the whole thread first before ridiculously accusing me of saying something that I didn't say.

    Woman in the Infantry?

    in Current Events and Hot Social Topics

    Posted · Edited by Iraqvet

    I am just saying that we should allow women the chance to try. What could happen? Best case for you, all women are incapable of meeting the graduation requirements and cannot serve in the military due to failure to meet the competencies requires - and you get to say "I was right, see?!". Worst case for you, some women prove you wrong and are verifiably qualified and serve in the infantry and everyone wins - and you concede that there are some women who can and want to do this tremendously difficult duty.

    Right now your argument sounds just so ignorant because you aren't willing to allow for a contest. You are just insisting that women can't and refusing to allow them a chance.

    EDIT: Of course, if guys are worried that a woman actually succeeding to graduate and serve in the infantry will lessen the commendable and admirable service he has provided, well, that is a deep sexism that I hope is not an actuality. Since you've been so willing to debate this topic, I would like to assume that this is not the case as you've demonstrated a willingness to listen to other perspectives - which I wholeheartedly appreciate (I've noticed it's rare here).

    Ignorant? No, no it's not ignorance. I have served in the infantry. I have been apart of deployments and served in a forward area in Iraq. So when it comes to the infantry there is no lack of knowing on my part. I say this respectfully. If you served in the military and specifically a combat support unit then your position would likely change. I met many female marines while serving and have asked most of them if they would want to be in the infantry. Their experienced answer was "Hell No". Your argument comes from a safe well guarded home and has never experienced the physically and psychological effect of serving in the infantry. Women have succeeded way before my time. That is not the issue. But women also have not been put on the front lines expected to keep up either. I don't think your argument of equality is ignorant at, but it is when it comes to the infantry because you have never been there. But I welcome your argument. It would penetrate if you served, especially in a forward area in a combat support MOS.

    Woman in the Infantry?

    in Current Events and Hot Social Topics

    Posted · Edited by Iraqvet

    Didn't I just write that I was waiting for a guy to point out the baby thing?

    I have a question for you, then. If a man and a woman complete training and conditioning, are verifiably equal in their competencies and qualified for their duties, why should the woman not be allowed to serve?

    Women are allowed to serve, let's not forget that. Just not in the infantry. A woman may be able to pass a physical test, but no way would women survive and graduate SOI. But like a said before, a woman is not going to carry an 80 pound rucksack for 20 miles while also holding a m-16 and a 50cal barrel. Your desire for equality in the military is commendable but it is also futile. I served in the infantry. You didn't. I was there. You weren't. Women would genetically weaken the US infantry. Not the military. The infantry.

    Woman in the Infantry?

    in Current Events and Hot Social Topics

    Posted · Edited by Iraqvet

    Well, we add drugs like steroids into the equation, the unnatural effects of those things skew the equation and change arguments.

    The equation for equality of men and women is an unbalanced equation. I do believe there are things women can do that men can't. Like delivering a baby. There is just not a whole lot of time for that on a battlefield.

    Woman in the Infantry?

    in Current Events and Hot Social Topics

    Posted

    I, personally, would not choose military life. That is not based on my gender, but based on my personal beliefs and other interests in life. My argument is not irrelevant because of this. I am sorry you feel that way, but there are many women who are willing to be trained and will proudly serve this country in combat or in various other military careers. I don't believe anyone, veteran or not, has the authority to tell someone who is trained properly and verifiably that he or she cannot serve in the military because of their gender. Or any arbitrary reason of the like.

    Then based on your argument we should let females compete against men at the UFC. Do you know a woman that could take out Brock Lesnar? Let women run the football down the field against dudes that are 6' 6 300 pounds wanting to rip their head off. I am a big fan of the lingerie football league and wish I was a season ticket holder but it is not the same.

    Woman in the Infantry?

    in Current Events and Hot Social Topics

    Posted

    Please, do not imply or question my mental ability just for voicing a different opinion and perspective from your own. Thank you.

    I am under the belief that the infantry would function best when it was comprised of those who demonstrate that they are sufficiently capable and sufficiently trained regardless of gender. This is not a "make it half and half" thing. This is allow women the opportunity to at least prove themselves.

    I think the strength of women would surprise you, as your sweeping generalization reflects gender roles and beliefs constructed by society and is not related to actual biology. My personal competencies are not relevant as I neither would like to serve in the military, nor have I done that specific task. I do, however, know women who could do just that and many men who could not.

    EDIT: Also your belief in the lesser effect of women stems from a social norm to perceive women as the lesser gender and sex. Another construct.

    Your post is as intelligent as it is irrelevant. You said it in your post. You would not like to serve in the military, nor have you done the specific task. Women are great at many things! Singing, acting, sports, business, love, making sandwichs, helping people. There are millions of things. I have served in combat and i would not even want to see hillary clinton in that environment.

    Woman in the Infantry?

    in Current Events and Hot Social Topics

    Posted

    This person is arguing about the culture of the infantry primarily, which can and has been changed. Accepting women does not have to, nor will it, lessen the effectiveness of the infantry in anyway. If capable women want the chance to serve in the infantry, they should be given that opportunity.

    Are you nuts? So you are under the belief that if the infantry was half women it would still be just as effective? Have you ever served in the infantry? Have you ever hiked 20 miles in moon boots carrying an 80 pound rucksack on your back while holding a 50cal barrel? a very, very small percentage of women on massive amounts steriods would be able to accomplish this.

    Woman in the Infantry?

    in Current Events and Hot Social Topics

    Posted · Edited by Iraqvet

    This letter comes from the son of former Virgina Senator Jim Webb of the Democratic party. Who has served in the infantry and came up with this from his own observations of the infrantry due to his military experience. NOT from sitting on his asss with no military experience trying to change something he has absolutley no clue what he is talking about.

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    Woman in the Infantry?

    in Current Events and Hot Social Topics

    Posted · Edited by Iraqvet

    By James Robert Webb

    I first need to begin this post with a disclaimer. Not because of any offensive or controversial subject matter but because I have failed to achieve the proper mindset necessary for 'attacking' this kind of subject.

    A good friend of mine, who knows the most intimate details about my opinion on this matter, read my draft copy of this post and said, "Jim! Get angry! Let the hate flow through you!" So, I walked down to my local convenience store and bought a 12 of PBR in order to tap into my inner Clint Eastwood (GET OFF MY LAWN!). I then assembled a list of tracks I deem necessary for pushing me to the Dark Side, which may or may not have worked..

    So..

    Last week I had the opportunity to sit down with a diverse group of people to discuss the new Department of Defense mandate that the military open up billets in combat units to women. The discussion was pretty lively, if not completely one sided. The main (if not only) proponent for the addition of women into combat roles was Martha McSally. On the other side were several women, to include Retired USMC Gunnery Sgt. Jessie Jane Duff, and then myself, the lone male in the group.

    Before I get into the meat of my perspective on this particular issue I want to make a couple of things clear. The first is that women have encountered combat in the past decade, just like the rest of the force, and served admirably. On a more personal level my mother, aunt, grandmother and one of my female cousins have all stepped up, put on a uniform at some point during a time of war. I also come from a long line of war fighters, more specifically Infantryman. In more recent history, my father was a Marine and wounded twice in Vietnam, my grandfather was in the second wave of Marines to land on Iwo Jima, my other grandfather was a career Air Force Officer. Serving in WWII, the Berlin Airlift, Korea, and Vietnam.

    In short, while only two family members (from either side) have made a career of the military, I can trace my lineage to every American War dating back to the French and Indian and to European conflicts even further back in history. I myself was a Sgt in the Marine Corps Infantry and the phone call to my father after rating a Combat Action Ribbon was one of the proudest moments of my life. I had managed to carry on the war fighter legacy for another generation.

    All of that to say: Women entering the Infantry is a hot button issue for me, not as an abstract policy decision, but on a very personal level.

    I see this as an attempt to create social progress or make a social statement at the expense of those who put their lives on the line.

    Pure and simple, it's nothing short of self promotion... which is ironic given that Infantry units abhor the concept of the individual.

    It is preached to the point of mantra that tightly knit teams win wars, while individuals get people killed.

    Let's break this down.

    1. This is unfair to women.

    Plain and simple, if you admit women into the Infantry, you must ask them to be men. This is completely unfair, as women are not physically just smaller men - they are completely different. Now, this is not the same as equality in society - that is a completely separate issue.

    In society writ large there are examples of these physical differences. One of these is the Olympics, where there are separate events for both men and women. As Ms. Duff pointed out during our discussion, women have 50% less upper body strength, and 25% less lung capacity. Because of this reality, the physical standards for women in the military are significantly and justifiably lower. The Infantry itself is a lot like your university's football team. They're a bunch of mouth breathing, knuckle dragging, testosterone charged, physical machines (to be clear I say this out of love). These men didn't join the Infantry because the uniforms were cool or they wanted money for college. They joined to push themselves to the limits of human endurance, and well, because over the past 10 years were promised a chance to take a shot at another human being... legally.

    Do you really want your daughter hanging out with men who have that mentality?

    Additionally, you are opening up the door to a world of backlash as well. The Army has already mandated that not only will women attend Ranger School, but any who are dismissed must be justified to the highest level of command. This is precisely the kind of treatment that creates resentment and makes it harder for women to co-exist in the military with men.

    2. The Infantry as a sub-culture.

    BLUF: The Infantry exists for one purpose and that is to kill people.

    Anyone can try to paint a rosier picture of what grunts do; nation build, hand out soccer balls, etc. but, when it comes down to it, throughout history Infantrymen have hunted down the enemy and killed him.

    Intrantrymen are not diplomats, negotiators, social crusaders, or explicit advocates of human rights. They are the men who are sent in when diplomatic channels fail, in order to influence other groups of people through the application of violence. In all other segments of society, except in criminal elements, violence is preached against, avoided, and except in the rarest of circumstances, illegal. In an Infantryman's world, violence is actively sought out, and participating in a gunfight is not only sought out, it is a standard by which you are judged. As this is a primal kind of existence all things are judged by whether or not they make you more effective in combat. That is to say, does this policy enable you to take life more effectively, or does it put you and your fellow grunts more at risk of losing your own. Everything boils down to exploitation of weakness and preservation of your own. Needless to say this is very different from the day-to-day in everyday America.

    As a result, the Infantry is probably the least politically correct and most exclusive group in America. It's allowed to be, it HAS to be. This is not to say that Grunts are sexist men who drive fancy cars and are haggled by the Paparazzi. Fairness in the Infantry is pure. It is simple. It is determined by how effective your unit is on the battlefield. The more elite the unit, the more 'unfair' the entry standards are, and the more 'unfair' the fight is for the enemy. Anything which hinders your ability to dominate your battlespace is stripped out. As an individual you are constantly evaluated to determine your worth, more specifically, whether or not you are a liability. We eat our own. If it is determined that a new member is weak or undependable, every attempt is made to get rid of that person by any means necessary. Additionally, these screening methods, which would boil the blood of activists across the country, has a very unique effect which isn't really witnessed in any other institution. All races and creeds present understand what is at stake and all stand together because you're held to the same murderous standard. There's a saying, "All Marines are Green" and unlike anywhere else, in Grunt units it's true.

    Why is it important not to alter this equation?

    Because it's a methodology that works... and has to work, because if it doesn't then we no longer have the most effective fighting force in the world. Additionally, it is inherent to the existence of Infantry units that they are able to police their own. This mandate is the exact opposite of this, and opens the door for groups, many of whom have no association with the military at any level, to determine the correct way for such units to conduct themselves.

    More to the point, if the calculus is altered, our people, my peers, die. So, if we have the most capable and lethal ground combat force on the planet, it isn't broken. If it isn't broken, what are we trying to fix?

    3. There is a marked difference between 'Combat' and 'Sustained Ground Combat Operations'

    Combat in its simplest definition entails that shots are exchanged between two hostile groups. This can last a few seconds, minutes, or hours. Combat, or what is commonly known as a 'firefight' can occur at any point. Typically non-infantry units who are attacked, seek to respond with force to get away from the attack, or 'out of the kill zone'. They do not seek to necessarily close with and destroy hostile forces. In essence, the less time engaged with the enemy, the better.

    Sustained ground combat operations , as conducted by infantry units, are quite the opposite. If an infantry unit encounters hostility in an area, their focus becomes driving the enemy from that area. Unlike non-Infantry units, Grunt units will keep going back until the threat is eliminated. This means days, weeks or months away from any kind of comfort, while you constantly move around looking for a fight. Fundamentally, it is an assertion of dominance and control. It is a primal an animalistic existence. This kind of attitude is shunned and feared in today's main stream society. However, in warfare it is inherent that you act this way, because if you do not, your opponent will. Once a specific area is under control, leadership then finds a new area in which to repeat the process. Infantrymen do this day in and day out for the length of their deployment. In the "War On Terror" these types have deployments have ranged from 7 to 18 months in duration.

    Now, take this attitude which is completely contrary to societal norms, and do it with a series of factors which make degrade your ability to be effective. First, strap on around 100lbs of additional equipment, thereby making you slow, cumbersome, and constantly uncomfortable. Next, remove a regular meal schedule, which makes you weak. Finally, only sleep for a couple hours at a time, usually in your gear and when it's too hot to move, as many Infantry units operate mainly at night. All of this reaches a crescendo when it's combined with the ever present reminder that any mistake you make can cost your peers life and limb. This is not your typical day job, and it is not a place for social experimentation. As if it's some kind of lab set up to 'see' if certain people can hack it or not. This environment is the complete opposite of that. It is the ultimate crucible of human physical and emotional endurance, which only the most capable people should apply.

    4. It can physically break off even the strongest men

    I will never be as proud as I was about serving as a Grunt in the Marine Corps. However, it was the most physically taxing and damaging thing I have ever done to myself. To this day I still wake up every morning, and have a nice 'walk down memory lane'. When I look in the mirror I see the scars on my body left by a reconstructive surgery on my shoulder, at least once a year my back seizes up because I have compressed vertebrae. I'm not yet 31 and sometimes feel like an old man. On the same note, I have never been a physical slouch. At my peak physical conditioning I weighed in at 170 pounds, could do 26 pull ups and ran 3 miles in under 18 minutes. However, even in that kind of shape, the sheer magnitude of the equipment I had to carry around took its toll. An easy day was carrying around half my body weight. At times, it was significantly more.

    To put it metaphorically (and to draw on a previous one), everyone should be afforded the opportunity to go to Ohio State, but for obvious reasons not just anyone can be on the football team.

    5. My Biggest Fear

    Plain and simple, that standards are dropped to allow 'social progress.' To me, this will mean nothing short of a marked drop in effectiveness on the battlefield, which in turn results in needless deaths of our people. Let's be real for a second, whomever we're fighting could care less about whether or not we have women on the battlefield. Their only concern is how easy it is to kill our people. What I truly believe is that those who are proponents of Women in the Infantry are actively attempting to change the culture of the Infantry, because for one reason or another, it disgusts them. Infantrymen are notoriously aggressive, combative, politically incorrect and downright offensive at times. This is precisely the type of attitude that the job demands. I don't tell anyone else how to live their life or how to do their job, and what I resent is the line of people coming in and telling me how to do mine. Furthermore, if you look at American culture, the 'beta' male has become the norm, or even the social ideal. While James Dean, or John Wayne used to be the 'ideal' American male, we now have Justin Bieber and Justin Timberlake. Gone is the man's man.

    This is no accident.

    On the flip side, the Infantry is an old school, 'man's man' environment. Furthermore, the majority of Americans have never even met an Infantryman, let alone know what it takes to make a unit effective in combat.

    Yet, these people are determining the fate and direction of such units.

    Some .45% of Americans have served in the War on Terror, and I promise you it's vastly different than any video game you've ever played. But, what I do know, is that once groups such as NOW, the ACLU or anyone else starts going through the 'dirty laundry' of Infantry units (such as how they enforce discipline...for those who have been there, you know what I'm talking about), I have no doubt that they will demand, and get, 'change.' If and when this does happen, you will see the wholesale destruction of more than 200 years of tradition which has separated our Armed Forces from those of the rest of the World.

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