From the military newspaper Stars And Stripes:
The Army is ordering its hardened combat veterans to wear fake breasts and empathy bellies so they can better understand how pregnant soldiers feel during physical training.
As the Duke of Wellington remarked in another context, I don’t know what effect these men will have upon the enemy, but, by God, they frighten me.
Commander-in-Chief first.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseNow that's a photo op I'd pay to see.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseHeck, I'd pay to see Obama going through basic training, even without the big belly and b**bs.
A better question?
What the heck are pregnant women doing in physical training? It's not like they will ever serve in combat at any time in the next three or four years.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseSince I'm sure that's a rule you just made up in your head, perhaps it's so they can.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe army doesn't send pregnant women or new mothers into combat.
Now that you have once again embarrased yourself, perhaps you could just slink away.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseFor three or four years? Cite something or slink away.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI will when you do.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseCite what? You said women don't serve in combat for at least 3 years after birth and I asked you for evidence you didn't just make that up. Still waiting...
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAny female Marine can get out of a deployment by getting pregnant, and she also has the option of taking an immediate honorable discharge. Equal rights indeed.
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Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseC'mon, Mark W! It's not enough that you point out the fact that the Army doesn't send pregnant women or new mothers into combat! According to Redfate, you simply haven't got an argument against this pointless PC exercise unless you can back up that minor aside about the 3-4 years. Besides, expecting Redfate to slink away would require him to have the capacity for shame, or at least embarrassment. Now, think back on his previous posts. Do they suggest such a capacity??
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe second part of your assertion is completely false. I deployed with many women who had children under the age of 4. While they won't send pregnant women into a combat theater (or will send them home if they are found to be pregnant after arriving) it is generally up to the mother-soldier whether or not she deploys immediately following her full return to active duty.
And as for "What the heck are pregnant women doing in physical training? It's not like they will ever serve in combat at any time in the next three or four years." You're not a soldier just when you deploy. Any decent commander has their soldiers at deployment readiness levels year round. In fact, that's their job.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe military won't even let them deploy on Navy ships if pregnant or nursing. "Three or four years" might be hyperbolic, but the statement is correct.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe statement is not correct. If anyone here bothered to read the article Steyn excerpted from (the part without a funny picture) they'd know: "soldiers have six months to meet the Army’s height and weight standards and pass a physical training test after they give birth."
After that, women can be deployed as normal: External Link
They also have the option of taking an honorable discharge after giving birth. But it's just that -- an option.
So, you know, it might make sense to keep women soldiers fit during pregnancy so they're not 80 pounds overweight come test day?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAs is usual, redfate, you responded to something that wasn't said. Your link proves that (aside from the hyperbole I mentioned) pregnant women most certainly are not sent into "combat" - they aren't even deployed. And, they aren't deployed until they meet standards, afterward.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseYes, and they have to meet those standards in six months. Not in "three or four years" -- a time frame that I agree would make the class fairly pointless if it weren't entirely made up. If you can't acknowledge the difference between half a year and four years then I don't think there's any basis on which we can have a rational discussion.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseForgive me if I've lost something in this discussion, but how is making a soldier train in a 'pregnancy suit' going to help female troops who are pregnant stay in shape? Having had four kids myself, I don't think that pregnancy is a good time to be training for military service, nor is it a good time for serving in a combat situation as stress and fear have an effect on the pregnancy.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAR 614-30. Soldier is not deployable until 6 months post partum, unless the soldier waives the deferment.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe Army is ordering its hardened combat veterans to wear fake humpbacks and crooked leg-braces so they can better understand how hunchback soldiers feel during physical training.
The Army is ordering its hardened combat veterans to wear a sofa strapped to their back side and a video game controller attached to their hand so they can better understand how video-gaming slack-about soldiers feel during physical training.
These make just as much sense to me.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseSoldiers, your greatest enemy is not the guy trying to kill you, it is your own prejudices and bigotry.
Relativism at its finest.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIt's so they can better teach pregnant women fitness classes.
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