Gender Restrictions in Military Combat

OTS Topic

Should there be gender restrictions in military combat?
a).  There should be no gender restrictions for military combat.  b). There needs to be some gender restrictions for military combat.

December 2010

Compiled by Bibliography Branch
Muir S. Fairchild Research Information Center
Maxwell AFB, AL

Contents

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All sites listed were last accessed on December 23, 2010.


Internet Resources
 

Center for Military Readiness:  Issues--Women In Combat.  Livonia MI, Center for Military Readiness.
Available online at:  http://www.cmrlink.org/WomenInCombat.asp
Provides issue topics such as "Women in Combat".
G.I. Jane:  Should Women Be Allowed to Fight on the Front Line?  Current Events 102:3 May 2, 2003.
Available online at:  http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=338181121&Fmt=4&clientId=417&RQT=309&VName=PQD
"Discusses the issue of women integration in ground combat such as female soldiers, because they are shorter and lighter than their male counterparts, are allowed in combat zones, but are banned from engaging in direct ground combat, regardless of physical and mental ability" - Abstract.
Kennedy, Claudia.  Yer Mama Wears Combat Boots and We're Proud.  MS 13:48-51 Summer 2003.
Available online at:  http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=355010931&Fmt=4&clientId=417&RQT=309&VName=PQD
"Discusses women's contribution in the armed forces and the argument against women in combat" - Abstract.
Stearns, Jill.  Telling Stories about Women and Gender Diversity in the War on Terror.  Global Society 22:159-176  January 2008.
Available online at:  http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=28056006&site=ehost-live
"Focuses on the role of gender in boundary-drawing practices, in the construction of identities and in the discursive construction and depiction of the 'body politic' in the War on Terror" - Abstract.
Women Aviators Finally Fill Cockpits of Military Aircraft.  FDCH Regulatory Intelligence Database March 19, 2003.
Available online at:  http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=mth&AN=32W1225385786&site=ehost-live 

Women in Combat:  Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Maxwell AFB, AL, Air University Library, May 2003. 
Available online at:  http://www.au.af.mil/au/aul/bibs/iraq/wiraq.htm
A bibliography compiled at Air University Library to support student research.


Internet Resources (Student Research)

Burba, Kathryn A.  Leveraging the Army Vision to Amend the Combat Exclusion Law.  Carlisle Barracks, PA, U.S. Army War College, 2007.  14 p.
Available online at:  http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA469395
"The current War on Terrorism provides an opportunity to examine the military in a unique way and evaluate its sufficiency in meeting the needs of commanders in conflict.  This is not a gender issue but instead an issue of combat capability.  More than any other time the issue of women in combat has become an important aspect of the nation's ability to execute war" - Abstract.

Burnes, Thresa.  Contributions of Women to the U.S. Combat Operations.  Carlisle Barracks, PA, U.S. Army War College, 2008.  20 p.
Available online at:  http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA479020
"Depicts numerous historical accounts of women's contributions to U.S. combat operations from the revolutionary War to present day conflicts.  Despite a 1994 Department of Defense (DoD) Policy prohibiting assignments of females to units likely to engage in combat, there is an increasing numbers of female service members engage in direct combat.  Recommends that Department of Defense rescind the Combat Exclusion Policy" - Abstract.

Lindon, Mark R.  Impact of Revising the Army's Female Assignment Policy.  Carlisle Barracks, PA, U.S. Army War College, 2007.  16 p.
Available online at:  http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA469601
"The current Army policy excludes females from serving in a number of units and positions.  Due to the Army Modular design and the change in the type of warfare the Army is likely to face in the coming years, this policy no longer adequately supports the Army's ability to fight and win our nation's war.  It is time for the Army to change its policy on assigning females to units and positions" - Abstract.

Sheppard, Cindy.  Women in Combat.  Carlisle Barracks, PA, U.S. Army War College, 2007.  16 p.
Available online at:  http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA467244
"Demonstrates why America's exclusionary politics on women in combat are out of touch with today's ideology and justifies why these policies must be changed" - Abstract.

Books
 

Beckett, Megan and Chien, Chiaying S.  The Status of Gender Integration in the Military:  Supporting Appendices.  Santa Monica, CA, RAND, 2002.  323 p. 
Book call no.:  355.0082 B396s

Fenner, Lorry M. and DeYoung, Marie.  Women in Combat:  Civic Duty or Military Liability?  Washington, Georgetown University Press, 2001.  207 p.  (Controversies in Public Policy)
Fenner argues that the US military should reflect the democratic society it serves, which means allowing women to serve in any position for which they're qualified, while DeYoung believes that serving in combat would be a personal and social disaster for women.  
Book call no.:  355.4082 F336w

 Gender, War, and Militarism:  Feminist Perspectives,  edited by Laura Sjoberg and Sandra Via.  Santa Barbara, CA, Praeger, 2010.  282 p.
Book call no.:  303.66 G325

Gutmann, Stephanie.  The Kinder, Gentler Military:  Can America's Gender Neutral Fighting Force Still Win Wars?  New York, Scribner, 2000.  300 p. 
"Observes what is often called the "New Military" and shows why the complete integration of women into the military is physically and sociologically impossible and how the pursuit of this unrealistic ideal is profoundly demoralizing to soldiers of both sexes and a sure setup for battlefield disaster" - Book Jacket.
Book call no.:  355.00820973 G984k
Van Creveld, Martin L.  Men, Women and War.  London, Cassell, 2001.  287 p. 
"For the first time females have taken their place on the front lines.  But, do they actually belong there?  A distinguished military historian answers the question with a vehement no, arguing women are less physically capable, more injury-prone, given more lenient conditions, and disastrous for morale and military preparedness". 
Book call no.:  355.4082 V223m

Women in Combat Compendium, edited by Michele M. Putko and Douglas V. Johnson, II.  Carlisle, PA, Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College, 2008.  75 p.
Also available online:  http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA476126
Book call no.:  355.0082 W8727

Zeigler, Sara L. and Gunderson, Gregory G.  Moving Beyond G. I. Jane.  Lanham, MD, University Press of America, 2005.  194 p.
Book call no.:  355.0082 Z46m


Documents (Student Research)
 

Baker, Henderson, II.  Women in Combat:  A Culture Issue?  Carlisle Barracks, PA, U.S. Army War College, 2006. 15 p.
"Examines the role of women in combat from an Army perspective" - Abstract.
Also available online at:  http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA449305
Doc. call no.:  M-U 39080-537 B1673w

Culler, Kirstin W.  The Decision to Allow Military Women into Combat Positions:  A Study in Policy and Politics.  Monterey, CA, Naval Postgraduate School, 2000.  116 p.
See section II:  Major Issues:  Pro and Con Arguments, pp 20-30.
Also available online at:  http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA379603
Doc. call no.:  M-U 42525 C967d

Farley, Christopher R.  The US Army Assignment Policy for Women:  Relevancy in 21st Century Warfare.  Fort Leavenworth, KS, School of Advanced Military Studies, Army Command and General Staff College, 2009.  46 p.
 "In view of the valuable role women play in the Army and the policies that govern their assignment, this monograph will address the question:  Is the Army assignment policy for women relevant in the context of 21st century warfare?" - Abstract.
Also available online: http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA505104
Doc. call no.:  M-U 42022-2 F231u

Golding, Susan J.  Women:  Ready for the Challenges of the Future U.S. Armed Forces.  Carlisle Barracks, PA, U.S. Army War College, 2002.  27 p.
Also available online at:  http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA401888
Doc. call no.:  M-U 39080-537 G6191w

King, Charles.  The Trivialization of Gender and Its Impact on Combat Effectiveness.  Carlisle Barracks, PA, U.S. Army War College, 2000.  32 p.
"Despite changing social imperatives and the demonstrated performance of women in the service the central issue remains - are combat organizations better served by gender integration and the attendant trivialization of gender?  The paper concludes that unrestricted gender integration is not in the best interest of the military or the society that it serves" - Abstract.
Also available online at:  http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA377683
Doc. call no.:  M-U 39080-537 K52t 

Lund, Kristin.  Gender and Diversity in Military Operations.  Carlisle Barracks, PA, U.S. Army War College, 2007.  16 p.
"This research identifies the lack of actual implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, which gives a different picture of women in conflict, and the importance of gender and diversity issues in operations that are primarily military" - Abstract.
Also available online at:  http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA469581
Doc. call no.:  M-U 39080-537 L9622g

McSally, Martha E.  Women in Combat:  Is the Current Policy Obsolete?  Maxwell AFB, AL, Air War College, 2007.  67 p.
The author answers the question:  "Should women continue to be prohibited from serving in 'ground combat' units based only on their gender?" - Introduction.
Also available online:  https://research.maxwell.af.mil/papers/ay2007/awc/McSally.pdf
Doc. call no:  M-U 43117 M1752w

Porter, Laurie M. and Adside, Rick V.  Women in Combat:  Attitudes and Experiences of U.S. Military Officers and Enlisted Personnel.  Monterey, CA, Naval Postgraduate School, 2001.  143 p.  (Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California)
See section C, pp 16-23:  Arguments for women in combat; Section D, pp  23-32:  Arguments against women in combat.
Also available online at:  http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA401535
Doc. call no.:  M-U 42525 P846w

Stone, Ervin R.  Women in Combat:  Standardize the Physical Fitness.  Quantico, VA, United States Marine Corps Command and Staff College, 2009.  1 vol.
The author states that "allowing women who meet the mental and physical combat requirements of the Marine Corps to serve in any military occupational specialty will ensure that the military of the future fulfills the expectations of our nation" - Thesis Statement.
Also available online:  http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA510815
Doc. call no.:  M-U 41886-131 S877w


Periodicals
 

Adeboyejo, Betsy.  Women in the Military Face Increasing Opportunity and Risk.  The Crisis 110:7-8 May-June 2003.
Focuses on the role of women in the U.S. military.
Also available online at:  http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=358263601&Fmt=4&clientId=417&RQT=309&VName=PQD

Alfonso, Kristal L.  Femme Fatale 2010.  Air & Space Power Journal 24:59-73 Fall 2010.
"Focuses on the U.S. laws and policies for women participation in war and combat operations.  Discusses three case studies on women participation in armed conflict such as the traditional involvement of World War II female Soviet pilots in armed conflict, female participation in terrorist activities and the performance of All Volunteer Force in combat operations" - Abstract.
Also available online at:  http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f5h&AN=55435536&site=ehost-live

Brower, J. Michael.  De Facto Women Warriors.  Armed Forces Journal 141:8 August 2003.
"Reports on need to end the combat-exclusion policy against servicewomen in the U.S.; servicewomen's display of military professionalism in Afghanistan and Iraq battlefields; benefits of ending restrictions against women serving in direct-combat positions; and the ability of women to meet the physically demanding challenges of military service" - Abstract.
Also available online at:  http://www.infoweb.newsbank.com
  
Brower, J. Michael.  PRO: Expanding Roles for Women Warriors.  Officer 81:38-42 March 2005.
"Discusses the advantages of expanding roles for women in the military.  Women have proven that they have the mental and physical endurance necessary, that they can handle themselves when under attack and can live rough in the field" - Abstract.
Also available online at:  http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=810420551&sid=8&Fmt=4&clientId=417&RQT=309&VName=PQD

Charen, Mona.  Why Does the United States Put Its Mothers into Combat?  Insight on the News 19:50-51 April 29-May 12, 2003.
"Under current regulations, women are not permitted in direct combat units.  But they're allowed to get very close.  Until 1994, women were forbidden even in units that were "at risk" for contact with the enemy or capture.  Under pressure from feminists who seek to erase all sexual discrimination from the military, Secretary of Defense, Les Aspin, eliminated 'inherent risk' of capture from the risk assessments of noncombat units" - Abstract.
Also available online at:  http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=389006071&Fmt=4&clientId=417&RQT=309&VName=PQD

Coppola, M. Nicholas and others.  Women in Combat!  Military Review 82:54-60 November-December 2002.
"Discusses argument on female soldiers assignment in combat infantry units; public policy and Federal law provisions which prevented women in frontline combat units; and results of a bipartisan task force study which investigated the exclusion of women in combat units in 1992" - Abstract.
Also available online at:  http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=10740410&site=ehost-live

Deveny, Kathleen and Ramirez, Jessica.  This Mom's Army.  Newsweek 154:34 December 21, 2009.
"Discusses the effect of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq on military members with children" - Abstract.
Also available online at:  http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=46762371&site=ehost-live

Donnelly, Elaine.  Women Soldiers Serving at Greater Risk.  Human Events 59:8 May 19, 2003.
"Comments on U.S. military personnel policies regarding women in combat as of 2003;  abolition of U.S. Defense Department's Risk Rule which spared women in support units from assignments close to the front line; and feminist's reaction to the capture of enlisted women in Iraq"  - Abstract.
Also available online at:  http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=9810186&site=ehost-live

Eberstadt, Mary.  Mothers in Combat Boots.  Policy Review No.159:33-44 February-March 2010.
"The author discusses the ethics of single mothers in the U.S. military with the case of Army cook Alexis Hutchinson who refused to go to Afghanistan explaining that no one could care of her infant son" - Abstract.
Also available online at:  http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f5h&AN=47916480&site=ehost-live

Edwards, Lauren.  Raising the Bar:  Eliminate the Discriminant.  Marine Corps Gazette 91:53-56 December 2007.
Also available online at:  http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1390868021&sid=2&Fmt=4&clientId=417&RQT=309&VName=PQD

Field, Kim and Nagl, John.  Combat Roles for Women:  A Modest Proposal.  Parameters 31:74-88 Summer 2001.
The authors "offer a modest proposal for an experiment that would see the standards-based integration of women into combat organizations and that the military has no reason to limit the rights of service members beyond the functional imperatives of military effectiveness" - Abstract.
Also available online at:  http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=73491962&Fmt=4&clientId=417&RQT=309&VName=PQD

Gat, Azar.  Female Participation in War:  Bio-Cultural Interactions.  Journal of Strategic Studies 23:21-31 December 2000.
"Examines the nature of bio-cultural interactions involved in female participation in war; the differences between men and women in war; reasons for the differences; and information on women's place in society" - Abstract.
Also available online at:  http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=6903528&site=ehost-live

Gaudiano, Nicole.  McSally in Command:  Lt. Colonel Is First Woman to Lead Combat Aviation Unit.  Air Force Times 65:12 August 2, 2004.
Also available online at:  http://www.infoweb.newsbank.com

Grant, Rebecca.  The Quiet Pioneers.  Air Force Magazine 85:34-38 December 2002.
Features women pilots who fly Air Force fighters and bombers and have made their mark.
Also available online at:  http://www.airforce-magazine.com/MagazineArchive/Pages/2002/December 2002/1202pioneer.aspx

Kennedy-Pipe, Caroline.  Women and the Military.  Journal of Strategic Studies 23:32-50 December 2000.
"Focuses on the relationship between women and the military and discusses the history of the relationship between women and war; arguments against the presence of women in the military; and improvement in the position and image of military women" - Abstract.
Also available online at:  http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=6903533&site=ehost-live

Lubold, Gordon.  Coed Combat:  Marines Rely on Army 'Lionesses' to Get the Job Done.  Air Force Times 65:27 August 16, 2004.
Features the Team Lioness, a group composed of women soldiers from the U.S. Army and reason behind the exclusion of women from combat related jobs according to a study conducted by Rand Corp. in 2004.
Also available online at:  http://www.infoweb.newsbank.com

Matthews, Michael D. and others.  Role of Group Affiliation and Gender on Attitudes Toward Women in the Military.  Military Psychology 21:241-251  April-June 2009.
Also available online at:  http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=37252245&site=ehost-live

Owens, Mackubin T.  G. I. Janes, By Stealth:  The Army Tries to Pull a Fast One.  National Review 56:24+ December 27, 2004.
Reports that the United States Army is making a change in its personnel policy that affects women in combat. 
Also available online at:  http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=767679351&Fmt=3&clientId=417&RQT=309&VName=PQD

Poulin, Bryanna.  25th CAB (Combat Aviation Brigade) Soldier Helps Redefine Women's Role in Combat.  Army Aviation 56:54 August-September 2007.

Sherman, Julie W.  Combat Duty for Women?  One Woman's Point of View.  Marine Corps Gazette 85:41-42 February 2001.
"Recent events test the resolve of placing women into combat.  Females simply cannot physically do what males can do, no matter how determined or brainy.  The military pays a price in lower training performance standards" - Abstract.
Also available online at:  http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=68630530&Fmt=3&clientId=417&RQT=309&VName=PQD

Simons, Anna.  Women in Combat Units:  It's Still a Bad Idea.  Parameters 31:89-100 Summer 2001.
"Criticizes the admission of women in combat units in the United States:" - Abstract. 
Also available online at:  http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=5602342&site=ehost-live

Van Creveld, Martin L.  Less Than We Can Be:  Men, Women and the Modern Military.  Journal of Strategic Studies 23:1-20 December 2000.
"Focuses on the role of men and women in the military.  Discusses the function of war as the highest proof of manhood; role played by women in war; and changes that have taken place in the roles of men and women in the military" - Abstract.
Also available online at:  http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=6903523&site=ehost-live

Vlahos, Kelley B.  Women at War.  American Conservative 7:14-17 April 7, 2008.
"Offers the author's views on the policy of the U.S. administration on the integration of women into military in view of reports of sexual assault in Iraq and Afghanistan wars" - Abstract.
Also available online at:  http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f5h&AN=31521552&site=ehost-live

Walker, Karen M.  Women Leading Men:  Combat Leadership Through Aspects of Femininity, Self-Efficacy, Emotional Intelligence, and Teamwork.  Marine Corps Gazette 93:41-44 May 2009.
Also available online at:  http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1701050501&sid=3&Fmt=4&clientId=417&RQT=309&VName=PQD

Wilgoren, Jodi.  A Nation at War:  Women in the Military; A New War Brings New Role for Women.  New York Times 152:B1 March 28, 2003.
In contrast with the 1991 Persian Gulf war, women now fly combat missions and serve on fighter ships, though they are barred from submarines, Special Forces and the Army's infantry, armor and artillery divisions.  The Clinton administration's decision in 1994 to lift the so-called risk rule means that about 90 percent of military jobs are open to women and that they serve in hostile zones.

Winn, Patrick.  Lethal Sisterhood:  A Small Cadre of Female Airmen Prove Their Mettle in Combat.  Air Force Times 68:14-16 December 31, 2007.
Also available online at:  http://www.infoweb.newsbank.com

Yeager, Holly.  Women in the Military: 'We Are in the Fight.  U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings 133:17-20 December 2007.
"Focuses on the views of several people on the participation of women in the U.S. military" - Abstract.
Also available online at:  http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=27820561&site=ehost-live

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