I get pimped by pubs for linkage to their stuff, and today it was the Washington Post. Hey, they've linked me before, I'll reciprocate.
Here's what Jennifer sent me today:
A big majority of Americans support having women fight in combat roles in the U.S. armed services, and more see improved than compromised military effectiveness as a result of the change, according to a new poll by The Washington Post and Pew Research Center.
Last week, the Obama administration opened up combat roles to women in the military, and fully 66 percent of all Americans back the idea. Most men and women alike support the idea, as do majorities across party lines.
Most of those in military households — including veterans themselves — see the policy shift as a “major change,” and they too are largely supportive of the move. In parallel, few, just 15 percent, see the shift as undermining military readiness, something critics of the move envision.
About twice as many, 29 percent, see improved military effectiveness as a result of having women in combat roles. More, 49 percent, see no discernible change. Among those who have served in the military, 30 percent see better military operations, and 19 percent see diminished capacity; again a plurality, 46 percent, anticipates no change.
For more including analysis by Jon Cohen and Scott Clement:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2013/01/29/most-back-women-in-combat-see-no-harm-to-military-effectiveness/
While I'm one of those retired soldier vets who says "go for it" regarding the change (if we truly maintain gender neutral standards of sufficient toughness) - the fact that a big majority of people with absolutely zip-zero-nada experience of
infantry combat except from movies, TV and video games is not persuasive.
Interesting, but otherwise... so what?
I don't really care what my barber's opinions on brain surgery are, either.
Sadly, I don't trust the Generals on the issue of standard setting. Oh, we'll get "gender neutral" standards. But we won't get the bar set to get the toughest and smartest, we'll get it calibrated to ensure we have a statistically representative sample.
I wish they'd apply that standard to college and pro athletics.
Snerk.
Then I wonder how the opinion ratings would shift.
Read the complete post at http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2013/01/um_yeah_about_t.html
Posted
Jan 29 2013, 04:25 AM
by
Argghhh! The Home Of Two Of Jonah's Military Guys..