Another Reason

If anything, this weekend's tragedy in Iraq, in which 14 women found themselves as casualties (which apparantly made this past Friday the bloodiest day for women in the war in Iraq), sheds light on another reason as to why women should not be restricted from combat roles in the military. From CNN:

Female Marines have been playing a more prominent role around Falluja, manning checkpoints and searching Iraqi women and children. (Read more)

They have become a necessity, out of respect for Iraqi cultural sensitivities.

Some women insurgents have hid weapons, cell phones, documents and other material under their clothing, and in some cases, Iraqi women have shot at Marines, said Arraf.

As a result, female soldiers and Marines have been increasingly used to aid those searches.

Arraf continues, in another CNN article:

CNN's Jane Arraf, embedded with a Marine unit in western Iraq, says that the military is grappling with the issue of having women accompany combat units to search women during raids or at checkpoints.

"It's one of the things that the Marines and the Army feel they're lacking right now, particularly the Marines, which have very few women in those roles," Arraf said.

Arraf reported that several weeks ago, a Marine was shot and killed by a woman who opened fire on him. The woman was killed by return fire from Marines.

"But when we go into houses with the Marines and with the Army, there is almost never a female along who can search women to see if they have weapons on them. It's something they are grappling with in this ever-changing insurgency and the ever-changing tactics of he insurgents and the foreign fighters."

In other word, there is a specific purpose as to why women need to be on the front lines. And considering the "cultural sensitivities" that Arraf mentions, considering women are maligned in Iraqi culture, I believe that the everyday presence of women on the "front lines" (as there aren't really any front lines in Iraq) could serve as an example for a nation trying to get off its feet and progress in such a hostile environment. Step by step, women are making strides in our military:

Tennessee woman awarded Silver Star

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A 23-year-old sergeant with the Kentucky National Guard has become the first female soldier to receive the Silver Star -- the nation's third-highest medal for valor -- since World War II.

Woman joins Air Force Thunderbirds

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Just weeks after a high-profile debate about the role of women in the military, the Air Force is putting a woman in one of its most prestigious and high-profile jobs. Capt. Nicole Malachowski has been named the first woman pilot in the Air Force's world-famous Thunderbirds demonstration squadron.

Now if only Congress would take heed and open up opportunities for women in the military as opposed to trying to take away those opportunities.