Why do people assume that the only positions available in the military are ones in which you must lift and carry 280lb men? I mean— I’m pretty sure there’s a billion other jobs to do, but when “women in combat” come up, it’s all “BUT CAN SHE LIFT ME? CAN SHE CARRY MY DEAD WEIGHT?”

The whole entire argument is completely dismantled when the respondents are just like “but my penis.”

Right!? If my husband said to me, “I really don’t think I can work with women because it would endanger our marriage.” We sure wouldn’t be married anymore!

It’s a good thing that grunts don’t set policy then, now is it? If grunts had their way, black soldiers would still be limited to kitchen duty. There is absolutely no (good) reason why women shouldn’t be allowed to serve in combat positions if they meet all of the requirements. As a former infantryman, you of all…

It was a voluntary survey, though, which means only people very motivated are going to fill it out. So all the dudes who are like “shrug” or “cool” are probably not taking the survey but all the foaming at the mouth misogynists are sure as hell taking it.

Not to mention the fact that men commit 90% of homicides, you know, cause they are so “emotional”.

They see women only in terms of how women exist in relationship to them (wives, mothers, sisters, sex objects, mistresses, victims) rather than as separate human beings. Not surprisingly, so do most men. That’s my theory anyways. And the root of a lot of the problems surrounding the victimization of women.

I agree, but at the same time, I bet some of these guys are the same dudebros that think they could easily beat up Rhonda Rousey.

How mentally tough are they if they can’t handle women in their unit?

Aren’t women generally MORE mentally tough than men?

Yeah, the not being able to drag 250-280 lbs. thing is total bullshit. When I was in my 20s I was fit—142 lbs, distance runner/cyclist—but I wasn’t Xena warrior princess or anything. I worked a job outside, and I could drag around those portable dumpster/waste bags with a few hundred pounds in them. It’s less about…

Yeah, who gives a fuck about what the guys who’ve spent the last decade and half fighting a war think about fighting a war?

THIS. Also, they DO know that we have the children, right?

A fit 130lb anything can drag a 250lb man, that’s not a problem. It’s an excuse for sexist impulses on a survey.

The job requires mental toughness, no? So they should be able to deal with it.

I tried to explain to someone that *I* am not getting in, because I would never pass the physical fitness test. But if I were, say, Brienne of Tarth, my lady parts shouldn't exclude me from doing a job I am physically capable of doing.

It’s horrifying, but when regular jobs integrated there was probably about the same level of dissaproval. Our grandmothers had to deal with a lot for us to have even the low level passive sexism we deal with today.

I’ve never been in the military, but I have been a lifeguard. I can drag a 280 pound guy no problem, while simultaneously stabilizing his neck to prevent spinal cord injuries.

First gay dudes, now all women...is there anyone these dudes don’t think is willing to sign up to be shot at just for the chance to fuck them?

So the people who complained about women not being mentally strong enough to be a commando are not even mentally strong enough to be around a woman in close quarters.