The Pentagon s Decision Argument Against Female Members...

With the Pentagon’s recent decision to open up combat positions to female members of the armed forces, intense debate has occurred over this issue. Those who disagree with the Pentagon’s decision argue that women cannot perform as well as men in combat situations. Supporters counter by suggesting that opening all combat positions to women will enhance and strengthen the US military. Army Captain William Denn, in his editorial â€Å"Women in Combat Roles Would Strengthen the Military,† argues in favor of women in combat. However, to support his position, Denn utilizes the fallacy of composition, brushes aside the evidence of women’s inferiority in combat, and develops his position with flawed examples. In the opening paragraphs of his article,†¦show more content†¦According to Mike Fredenburg of National Review, another study shows that â€Å"the vast majority of women do not possess the lean mass necessary to meet the strength requirements for ve ry heavy and heavy physical MOS’s.† Thus, Denn’s argument, based on the fallacy of composition, does not hold up in light of scientific research. While acknowledging the existence of studies showing the inferiority of women’s performance in combat conditions compared to men’s, Denn holds an almost dismissive attitude toward such evidence. He instead argues: â€Å"The success of women’s integration into combat units will depend on how quickly and enthusiastically officers and enlisted soldiers embrace it. Many servicemen resist the idea, citing studies that suggest the inclusion of women in combat would imperil unit effectiveness, good order, and discipline.† Thus, Denn suggests that the barriers to women’s success in combat lie not with the women’s physical capabilities but rather with those who oppose the idea of servicewomen in combat. However, a Marine Corps study conducted over a period of one year refutes Dennâ€℠¢s claims. â€Å"The Marines created a battalion of 100 female and 300 male volunteers. During the past year, they trained†¦taking part in realistic combat exercises. All-male squads, the study