Where do women fit in modern warfare?

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-- the Pentagon is set to announce a historic change to the US military and that's gonna happen this afternoon.

They will lift the ban on women serving in combat.

The move will open up many jobs in previously all male units including.

Special ops in areas like -- -- right now women make up some 14%.

Of the one point four million active service members in this country.

Let's talk weather isn't too great -- for this subject we have -- -- front.

The service deputy assistant secretary of defense under President Reagan.

He's also Fox News national security analyst and general Jack -- four star general retired former vice chief.

Staff of the army and a Fox News military analysts as well you guys have very impressive resume so we're very glad to have you out with us this morning good morning.

General Q let me start with -- what do you think about this.

Well listen I served for 37 and a -- fears and I was always a strong advocate.

For women in the military and in my that I mean in non traditional skills.

And the fact of the matter is I draw a line here because this is about.

Direct ground combat this is about infantry units and that this has been studied for years law.

It's close to thirty years as a matter of fact by our military.

And also by allied military and the conclusions are that women in direct infantry combat roles -- less likely to survive.

And less likely to help others survive.

And the rigors of combat.

Are there and it's a question of being able to look full at that very high level so I draw the line here it -- I truly think of some of -- -- -- anything timing just the opposite.

You know the problem with modern workers there is no front line and we think of the old fashioned World War I were -- to keep women behind put the man up at the front line where they would take the injuries.

Well in fact modern warfare every place is the front line you can be at a base.

In July -- bad where I was and you get at whether you're out on the patrol -- they're not out on the patrols I think it what it does is it frees up opportunities professional opportunities for women.

To be in that kind of -- that then allow them to advance and I.

-- take take take thing.

Listen that that's a big difference between being in harm's way which is what you describe women are ambushed as -- units.

They certainly receive mourners they have -- Being -- -- direct offensive -- about operation day in and day out is very different.

Than being in harm's way and our women have performed admirably being in harm's way they've been decorated for heroism.

But direct infantry combat every single day is very different than what -- describe.

But generally -- were what do you say about the fact that in -- years ago women weren't a lot of West Point or Annapolis it was a big outcry over that.

You know they wouldn't be able to handle the training they wouldn't you know -- -- they wouldn't be able to leave the playing field equal.

Hasn't that worked out very well.

Well absolutely and I was an advocate for that and also for.

Bringing -- into many of on nontraditional skill sets that we have flying airplanes have -- -- -- but direct infantry combat I believe is fundamentally about strength and in dorms and unit cohesion where is the military.

In the world and has done this successfully.

Some have tried it and they have all walked that back.

Well I you know general I think it if you also look at modern warfare about it's not just about who's the toughest strongest -- battlefield.

You know we now have much more reliance on high technology.

When my daughter was at the Naval Academy and in when it was in her first year ever -- and -- a five mile run and I said Edwards don't girls have different.

Requirements and Boris and she rolled her eyes out he has -- -- they don't stop at a certain point say.

Girls you can quit now everybody has to meet certain standards now it's not just a matter bird strike in some cases and in fact in many cases women are better snipers.

For example than men -- women have better.

Marine helicopter pilot rates than vendors sell -- I think that it's about time to acknowledge the fact.

The women are already and also this about this is so how do you think it would work you know I mean I mean do after this ban is lifted.

I would women request you know they say it and live a volunteer force and -- none of these women or men for that matter.

Are there and they're all there on their own -- so how how do you think it would work how would they say will -- gonna go to the front lines -- what a woman say I'm willing to and I wanna be down I feel like I have the skills to -- first.

Well I think first and foremost it's gonna work by -- -- and terrorism.

Volunteered.

An officer wants to be in the infantry.

And enlisted soldier who wants to be in the infantry they're not -- mandate anybody to going to.

And into that without.

-- being -- volunteer to do it know what I do hope.

I do hope we do not change the physical standards and I'm skeptical about this because we have done this in the past right here in the united states military.

To accommodate the difference and and body make up for women and a -- for women and I and -- I'm.

Confident that.

The tests that are out -- the stand is that we have are adequate.

To meet the tests are infantry and special forces soldiers -- -- on the battlefield I don't wanna see them change.

To accelerate the advancement of women into those units.

And I wonder how many women are we we've lease great piece that Jennifer Griffin -- an interview that she -- And the woman that she interviews she was captain I -- around her last name unfortunately but -- captain.

And she said you know I have not -- not able to do.

Some of the stuff that the men are able to do in training she you know she was she'll play a very tough strong and capable -- -- but she was.

Very honest about the fact that she thought that she couldn't do some of the training that the men could -- well.

You think about that case why don't get a suggestion we -- down for women and say okay girls you get to stop if the women can't.

-- any individual male female whatever can't work.

Meet the man armor currency you've got to -- for especially -- that's a different story but once you should close that door to women if they are capable of doing the job.

Very interesting very interesting take from you -- thank you so much general opinion -- -- interesting topic when an.

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Where do women fit in modern warfare?

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