Women 'to serve in close combat roles' in the Brit military

[cronus]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36746917

Women 'to serve in close combat roles' in the British military

A ban on women serving in close combat roles in the British military is expected to be lifted by Prime Minister David Cameron.
Women can currently serve on the front line, but not where the primary aim is to "close with and kill the enemy" - ruling them out of serving in the infantry or armoured corps.
The PM is due to confirm the move at a Nato summit in Warsaw, Poland.

It follows a government review which recommended the ban should be lifted.
BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Beale said the opening of roles for women in close combat would be phased, initially with positions in cavalry and armoured units and then to the infantry.
He said some of the concern over the issue had centred on whether women had the physical capability to withstand the demands on their body that some of the roles will require.
There are about 7,000 women in British Army currently, but, according to research by the British Army, only about 5% would pass the physical tests required. One of the easier tests for the infantry, for example, involves recruits completing an eight-mile march in under two hours while carrying a backpack weighing 55lbs (25kg).

Ministers first signalled an intention to allow women into such roles in 2014 when a government-commissioned report on the ban called for more research to assess the physical demands involved.
And in December last year the US announced that all combat roles in its military would be opened to women.
But proposals to open up roles to women has attracted criticism in the past.
In April former Army chief Colonel Richard Kemp said introducing women into such roles would be a "foolish move" that would be "paid for in blood".
Writing in the Telegraph, Col Kemp, who led the British forces in Afghanistan in 2003, argued: "This foolish move will reduce the capability of the infantry, undermine our national defences and put lives in danger."

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[Tyrannical]

Sheesh, it's not like they have to wear heavy armor and wield a sword and shield. With proper physical training they'll do just fine.

[laklak]

Besides, they're FAR more vicious then men. That's why the Injuns gave their captives to the women.

[JimC]

Special assault troopers with PMT?

[Rum]

'Close combat'..*snigger*

[JimC]

Women in the armed forces have their knockers I know...

[Seth]

Strip 'em down and send them over the trench-side to distract the Huns as our Doughboys sneak up on them from the rear...

[Hermit]

Special assault troopers with PMT?

Yes. Prime Martial Training.

[Hermit]

Women in the armed forces have their knockers I know...

Moreover, knockers who insist on getting their objections off their chests.

[Scot Dutchy]

I understand that very few would survive the physical tests.

[pErvinalia]

Yeah, the reality is this is probably mostly a gesture.

[Scot Dutchy]

It is a very Dutch response. Dutch very seldom actually ban anything they just make it impossible to carry out.

[JimC]

I understand that very few would survive the physical tests.

Might be more than you think. The ones that really want that role will be very, very determined, and will probably start from a high level of fitness...

[Scot Dutchy]

I understand that very few would survive the physical tests.

Might be more than you think. The ones that really want that role will be very, very determined, and will probably start from a high level of fitness...

Oh I agree Jim but the numbers would be low. My wife has a niece who is a triathlon maniac who would probably pass it.

[pErvinalia]

Strength might be the one that does them in. Fireman carrying your wounded mate in a 50m sprint would probably see the vast majority of women fail.