Female Marine: Women in Infantry Is a Bad Idea

The Marines are moving toward the notion of putting more women in combat roles, and one Marine in particular—a woman—thinks it's a lousy idea. "As a combat-experienced Marine officer, and a female, I am here to tell you that we are not all created equal," writes Capt. Katie Petronio in the Marine Corps Gazette. She's worried that nowhere near enough study has been done on "gender-specific medical issues," especially on the toll they may take on females in the long run—a view she holds based on "firsthand experience" in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Petronio also complains that it's well-meaning civilians who seem to be leading the push for change, without firsthand knowledge of the consequences. This would be a huge change for the Corps, and a disastrous one, she argues. "For the long-term health of our female Marines, the Marine Corps, and US national security, steer clear of the Marine infantry community when calling for more opportunities for females," writes Petronio. Read her full essay here. (More Marines stories.)