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| Fear of the unknown: the real reason why the British military will stop women fighting in combat units | Fear of the unknown: the real reason why the British military will stop women fighting in combat units |
| (2 months later) | |
| The decision by the Pentagon to lift the ban on women serving in close combat roles has inevitably raised questions about why the UK won't follow suit. | The decision by the Pentagon to lift the ban on women serving in close combat roles has inevitably raised questions about why the UK won't follow suit. |
| The stated reasons are complex, but essentially boil down to a problem with men, rather than women. It has little to do with women not being strong enough, or capable enough. But it has a lot to do with men believing they might become less efficient with women around, and over protective too. | The stated reasons are complex, but essentially boil down to a problem with men, rather than women. It has little to do with women not being strong enough, or capable enough. But it has a lot to do with men believing they might become less efficient with women around, and over protective too. |
| A report upon which the Ministry of Defence relies for this position was published three years ago by a company called Berkshire Consultancy, which interviewed men and women in the armed forces to ask them what they thought of mixed-gender close combat teams. | A report upon which the Ministry of Defence relies for this position was published three years ago by a company called Berkshire Consultancy, which interviewed men and women in the armed forces to ask them what they thought of mixed-gender close combat teams. |
"Key concerns, expressed by men and women, are around women being a distraction and the dangers associated with close relationships, men's desire to protect women and, despite the fact that we explicitly said this study was not addressing the issue, women's relatively lower physical strength and stamina. A significant number of men felt that, despite having had positive experiences of women, they would not want women in the infantry - there was a feeling amongst many that they would not feel comfortable asking a woman to close with and kill the enemy at very close range, and that they were concerned about the woman's response to this situation arising. This final step is felt to be different and a step too far." | "Key concerns, expressed by men and women, are around women being a distraction and the dangers associated with close relationships, men's desire to protect women and, despite the fact that we explicitly said this study was not addressing the issue, women's relatively lower physical strength and stamina. A significant number of men felt that, despite having had positive experiences of women, they would not want women in the infantry - there was a feeling amongst many that they would not feel comfortable asking a woman to close with and kill the enemy at very close range, and that they were concerned about the woman's response to this situation arising. This final step is felt to be different and a step too far." |
| But dig a little bit deeper and the picture is far less clear. The study was small; only 105 people were interviewed, 28 women and 77 men. It was also asking the interviewees to imagine what it would be like for women to be in close combat roles, encouraging them, perhaps, to raise fears about situations that have not yet arisen. | But dig a little bit deeper and the picture is far less clear. The study was small; only 105 people were interviewed, 28 women and 77 men. It was also asking the interviewees to imagine what it would be like for women to be in close combat roles, encouraging them, perhaps, to raise fears about situations that have not yet arisen. |
| But the experience of men and women working together in other roles, including during incidents where women have had to shoot at the enemy during fire fights, suggests that the mix hasn't and doesn't affect the team. | But the experience of men and women working together in other roles, including during incidents where women have had to shoot at the enemy during fire fights, suggests that the mix hasn't and doesn't affect the team. |
"The majority of interviewees felt there was no impact due to the presence of a woman on getting the task done...the majority of women and men felt that the woman was an equal member of the team, and most men said they would not have treated the woman differently had she been a man." | "The majority of interviewees felt there was no impact due to the presence of a woman on getting the task done...the majority of women and men felt that the woman was an equal member of the team, and most men said they would not have treated the woman differently had she been a man." |
| The MoD worries that the cohesion of fighting units might also be compromised. But in one off incidents where men and women have fought together, this did not emerge as a problem. | The MoD worries that the cohesion of fighting units might also be compromised. But in one off incidents where men and women have fought together, this did not emerge as a problem. |
"Cohesion in mixed gender teams during ground close combat incidents was consistently reported to be high." | "Cohesion in mixed gender teams during ground close combat incidents was consistently reported to be high." |
| One soldier was quoted saying: | One soldier was quoted saying: |
| "We were on top cover, she on the right, me on the left. We both turned and started firing at the same moment. It didn't matter she was a medical sergeant just that she was getting rounds off. The kit was not an issue, she carried her own and was happy to carry her own weight." | "We were on top cover, she on the right, me on the left. We both turned and started firing at the same moment. It didn't matter she was a medical sergeant just that she was getting rounds off. The kit was not an issue, she carried her own and was happy to carry her own weight." |
| A separate piece of empirical work by the Berkshire Consultancy relied upon the answers to a questionnaire sent to 6,000 men and 8,718 women. Only 800 men replied, and 1728 women. | A separate piece of empirical work by the Berkshire Consultancy relied upon the answers to a questionnaire sent to 6,000 men and 8,718 women. Only 800 men replied, and 1728 women. |
| The picture was mixed. Strangely, perhaps, men said that the presence of women had not reduced cohesion in small teams in combat situations, though the women had felt it might have done. | The picture was mixed. Strangely, perhaps, men said that the presence of women had not reduced cohesion in small teams in combat situations, though the women had felt it might have done. |
| One conclusion was that "the research provided evidence of the effectiveness of women in ground close-combat situations (one off events). But this evidence did not address ground close combat roles, engaging in activities on a daily basis." | One conclusion was that "the research provided evidence of the effectiveness of women in ground close-combat situations (one off events). But this evidence did not address ground close combat roles, engaging in activities on a daily basis." |
| But how could it? Women aren't allowed in those situations, yet. | But how could it? Women aren't allowed in those situations, yet. |
| The interview study, though, probably hit the nail on the head, and summed up the military's true feeling on this, in a passage on page 42. | The interview study, though, probably hit the nail on the head, and summed up the military's true feeling on this, in a passage on page 42. |
| "A recurring comment from the men in particular was that, given the risks and the lack of perceived benefits to including women in ground close combat roles, there is little point opening up these roles to women - 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'." | "A recurring comment from the men in particular was that, given the risks and the lack of perceived benefits to including women in ground close combat roles, there is little point opening up these roles to women - 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'." |
| But the MoD is asking for an answer to a question that cannot be answered - What will happen if women join close combat units? Nobody knows. The military will only find out if it gives them a chance. So the ban stays. | But the MoD is asking for an answer to a question that cannot be answered - What will happen if women join close combat units? Nobody knows. The military will only find out if it gives them a chance. So the ban stays. |
| "The Minister and the service chiefs judged that, overall, the conclusions to be drawn from the research are mixed and do not provide the basis for a clear recommendation either way...the minister decided that a precautionary approach was necessary." | "The Minister and the service chiefs judged that, overall, the conclusions to be drawn from the research are mixed and do not provide the basis for a clear recommendation either way...the minister decided that a precautionary approach was necessary." |
| Which is odd, in a way. The research seemed to prove that the fears that have historically prevented the MoD putting women into other positions have been unfounded. | Which is odd, in a way. The research seemed to prove that the fears that have historically prevented the MoD putting women into other positions have been unfounded. |
| This is the last taboo. | This is the last taboo. |
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