Los-Angeles-Shooter Loc: Los Angeles

Keren Tendler, the child of Romanian immigrants, made history as the first female Yasour transport helicopter squadron flight mechanic. Her commanders absolutely refused to allow her to participate in operational flights in Lebanon during the anti-terrorist war. But Keren had other ideas. She was furious, threatening to stop doing reserve duty. She cornered her squadron commander: “I have to take part in the war like everybody else.”

Like all the barriers Keren faced, this one too collapsed in the face of her brave determination. On August 12, 2006, Keren flew with her crew into Lebanon, successfully landing forces deep inside southern Lebanon. But when the helicopter took off for home, it suffered a direct hit from a Hezbollah rocket.

All four crew members were killed. Gili Cohen, Haartz reporter, wrote: “Keren’s body was found only a day after the fatal crash. The air force commander at the time, Maj. Gen. Eliezer Shkedi, told the family he had given an order: “Don’t come back without Keren.” Hundreds of fighters took part in the operation to bring her back – among them paratroopers and special operations units. Her body was found in a small crevice some distance from the remains of the helicopter.

She was carried back into Israel on a stretcher borne by fighters, on a march that took several hours in enemy territory.“She is a heroic figure, a ground-breaker,” said her mother, “and the operation to rescue her from Lebanon was also heroic.”

Over 535 women fighters in the IDF ("Israel Defense Forces") have sacrificed their lives for their country.

Vietnam Vet

I attend a group at the VA and hear stories from veterans about their military experiences. You would hope that no woman you know would ever be telling similar stories about their own personal experiences. Or be walking around on metal legs that replaced the ones they lost in combat.

BigBear Loc: Northern CT

I agree partially with you. However, some women are more qualified than most men.
If they feel as strongly as I do about defending this country, who am I to tell them they can't fulfill their dream as well ??

Texcaster Loc: Queensland

Lt Col Tammy Duckworth doesn't suffer fools or orange draft dodgers.

Iraq veteran senator calls Trump 'Cadet Bone Spurs'
8:17 AM ET Mon, 22 Jan 2018
"I will not be lectured about what our military needs by a five deferment draft-dodger," Duckworth said in a speech on Saturday

https://www.cnbc.com/video/2018/01/22/iraq-veteran-senator-calls-trump-cadet-bone-spurs.html

Rose42

The military isn’t a democracy. Its function is to win not let people fulfill their dreams.

In battle a woman is somebody’s sister, girlfriend, mother or wife. That affects the unit. Anything that tampers with unit effectiveness shouldn’t be allowed. Thats not sexist its reality.

soba1 Loc: Somewhere In So Ca

Though women may be quite capable. It's something I would rather not see.
I suffer from chronic back pain, lets say if I'm purchasing a heavy item from
the store I refuse to let a woman do it. I see women as the weaker vessel
and should not be subjected to the same things as a man should.
Again not that they aren't capable I believe they should be protected.

Non combat roles yes; flying drones behind the scenes yes.
But on the ground; definitely not

Elaine2025 Loc: Seattle, Wa

Harry0 Loc: Gardena, Cal

First we need to stop the hypocritical BS.
Accept that women, gays, and non whites are real people too.
Just because a woman is in the military doesn't mean she "accepts" being a target by her own people.
A woman gets molested by another soldier, and he's 2 grades above her- she better not report it!
An American soldier should be accepted and respected as an American soldier. Attack any one because of race, color, creed, sex or preference- start with treason, goto hate crimes.

BigBear Loc: Northern CT

And you think guys don't have a life and family outside of the job ??

Rose42

Sure they do. But men tend to want to protect women and they act different when women are around. Thats just the way it is.

BigBear Loc: Northern CT

I served with a lot of women. We all did the same jobs, trained in combat the same way, they were as qualified as the rest of us. And they were treated no differently then men.

Rose42

I also served with men. I saw them change when women were around. Subtle but its there. I don't care if a woman has a dream of going into combat. Its selfish on her part to want to mess with unit effectiveness.

The military is no place for PC, 'women are equal' BS.

BigBear Loc: Northern CT

And I still say It is up to them if they want to go.

Elaine2025 Loc: Seattle, Wa

I say it is up to the military and let them do what they know works to put together a well functioning team.

Rose42

It can't be. The military is absolutely no place for compromising to make someone feel good about themselves and its self serving of someone to ask that it should.