Australian Plan to allow women to undertake combat roles

Very brave soldiers these women. They Deserve the Gallantry medals and as some have said some of these actions could of been VC material.
So even though they are not technically infantry soldiers they are deployed with the Btns as medics with in the Infantry units and i assume the women are also fully armed and if necessary returning fire.

Yes their is also Australian women in Afghanistan though again not with the Infantry Sections as "grunts", however they are still on the front line and are fully armed just as a male is. Fortunately they have not yet been hurt that i know of, however.
IIRC one female Brit solder who was killed was traveling in a snatch rover possibly with SF's. So even though not yet fielded in the Aussie Ptns and Sections as Infantry fighters they are their and in much danger as are most of the men.
Australian women are used out in the field and amongst other duties in the combat zone to search Afghan females. It is probably the same with other Allied nations in the combat zone which encompasses allmost the entire nation of Afghanistan.
As for the comment from the Afghan's this is expected as many of their mens attitudes towards women are based on a middle evil or dark ages way of thinking.

 

One very brave soldier who died while doing her job for her country.

RIP
Captain Goddard MSM

 

One thought about men stopping for wounded women instead of continuing on with the fighting, although stopping to care for the lady would cross the minds of most men I do think they would have it trained out of them before they deployed, with the Officers and NCO's drumming it into their head. They are meant to be professionals, and as so many who have experienced it (I have not) have said once it starts your training kicks in and you do your job.
Another point is that the medics are in the norm, fully trusted, fully trained and usually fully equipped for medicine on the battlefield.
The soldier's know that the wounded woman just like a man will get looked after properly by the medics the medics are also be capable of providing much better support to the patient than the infantry soldier could. The male also knows he is needlessly risking his life and that of his comrades. The medics can also have it quickly organised for the patients to be ready for evac and when it's safe to do organise to have the choppers/vehicles come in.

Any woman selected for the RAInf would be a very strong and determined woman, they will not be slight girly girls possible execptions being when not deployed and not on duty. Maybe some extra specialised unarmed combat skills or a martial art could be off help (to any one) with the up close and personal fighting.

 

I certainly have a view on this subject ; if not I wouldn't be me.

However, as has already been stated in this thread: We have had this discussion before. I have even managed to make peace over it at one time with gentlemen like Sapper and Tom Canning.
http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/general/25303-role-women-infantry-division-2.html

Thank you for your post, Drew: It did make me feel better.

The only comment I would like to make at this time is that it seems as easy to remember that a lot of women are not fit for the battle field as it is to forget that the same is true for a lot of men.

Please, Tab: I really don't understand your comment. Would you please explain what you mean by this ?
... I rather they got their heads shot off than me and if they want equality then why not

 

Another Warrior gone to see St.Peter

Ministry of Defence | Defence News | Military Operations | Captain Lisa Jade Head dies of wounds sustained in Afghanistan

Some excellent tributes in that link.

 

Women to serve on Afghan frontline by 2012

June 15, 2011 - 1:49AM
AAP
Women will serve on the frontline in Afghanistan by next year, with male soldiers reportedly told to accept the change or quit.
The army has begun briefing infantry soldiers that female diggers will join them in battle in 2012 if they can pass physical tests, News Ltd newspapers report.
Army leaders are understood to support the changes that would open all combat roles to women, with a cabinet decision expected within weeks.
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Defence Minister Stephen Smith's final submission recommending equal military opportunity for women is likely to be approved.
Townsville-based 1st Battalion soldiers were told the news on Tuesday morning, the report said.
Presently, women are barred from just 7 per cent of military roles.
Allowing women on the frontline would place Australia alongside Israel, which has gender equality in battle.