
For years, official military policy did not permit females to fight on the front lines during war. In 2013, this ban was lifted and the Pentagon announced that they were overturning the rule that prevented women from serving in armor, infantry, special forces, artillery, and other combat positions. This has broken new ground for many feminists, however, many choose not to look at the negative effects of adding women to the front lines. I have chosen to focus on this research question because I do not know much about it, so I have chosen to gain new knowledge. I have always believed that women should be allowed to participate in anything that men are allowed to participate in, however, I will argue the opposing viewpoint because my research has given me more reasons to argue otherwise. Arguing the opposing view will challenge me to step away from my own views and push further into my research. Although this question does not affect me or my values directly, the extensive research that I have completed regarding both sides of this debate qualifies me to write a paper about it.

"Women in Combat: The Question of Standards," a magazine article written by Jude Eden and published in Military Review, discusses the issue of double standards in the military. Eden claims that although women can now participate in military occupational specialties, double standards still exist and women are constantly discriminated against. Her first argument is that double standards exist because of physical testing and the inability of women to perform as well as their male peers. Her second and third arguments indicate that an unchanging nature and a difference in needs also create double standards. Overall, the article calls into question the role of women in the military and how others treat them. Jude Eden's credibility comes from having personal experience with the U.S. Military, however, she might be biased because of this. From 2004 to 2008, she served in the Marine Corps as a data communications specialist. From 2005 to 2006, she served on entry checkpoint duty with the corps infantry. In addition, she has earned a B.A. from Hillsdale College in English literature and political science. I will use this in my paper to prove that the double standards exist and how this can negatively affect the cohesion of a unit.

Lieutenant Gregory Newbold's online article "What Tempers the Steel of an Infantry Unit," published to the website War on the Rocks, claims that that the debate over women being involved in infantry should not just focus on physical standards and performance. His credibility comes from his previous position as an infantryman in the United States Marine Corps, which makes him biased to all-male infantry units. Now retired, he once served as the commander of multiple units through the 1st Marine Division and eventually the Director of Operations. In this article, he writes that together, women and men can create "pettiness, rumor-mongering, suspicion, and jealousy" (Newbold). In turn, this lessons the fighting spirit required for war. The brotherhood and experiences shared between men creates a "spiritual glue" that sexual dynamics can negatively affect. Issues of sexual relations or sexual assault leads to blame, lessening the cohesion of a unit. Brotherly bonding leads to selflessness and enduring the sacrifice of laying down a life for another. The major value at stake in this article deals with the importance of unity within a group of soldiers. This article presents multiple arguments that I can use as evidence in my paper.

"Women in Combat," my third source written by Captain AZ Meelarp and published by the US Marine Corps' Command and Staff College, claims that women should not be allowed to take front-line positions in combat. His evidence to support this suggests that the majority of women do not meet the standards of physical tests, and the physical demands of war are far more detrimental to the female body. In addition, double standards take a toll on the morale and performance of male soldiers. He presents multiple situations that can unnecessarily place women in harm's way, such as exposure to open fire and physical contact with hostile enemies. This is very effective because he adds that if women are in danger, male soldiers feel it is their duty to protect the female soldiers. This can ultimately undermine success on the battlefield. Captain AZ Meelarp's credibility comes from his time as a part of the U.S. Military, which might cause him to be biased toward strict male units. This article will be used as primary evidence for my final paper.

I can argue this research question because many people believe that women participating in combat has no negative effects on the male members of the military or the units they occupy. My paper will present the many negative effects that I have discovered in my research. These negative effects include women being liabilities on the battlefield, women affecting the brotherhood associated with all-male units, and the inability of women to physically perform as well as their male peers. . I have come across many sources that support the idea of women fighting on the front lines, while many others provide reasons for the other side. My last two sources agree that women should not participate, while the first one simply points out the negative reasons that double standards exist. 

