Bi-partisan resolution addressing issues of females in the military introduced
COLUMBUS – State Representatives Connie Pillich (D-Montgomery), Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo), and Sandra Williams (D-Cleveland) today announced the introduction of a resolution calling for the end of rules that prohibit women from serving in U.S. military combat operations. The House Resolution urges the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the United States Congress to end the ban on women serving in combat and to provide adequate, sufficient, and practical training and equipment before deployment in theater.
“We live in a country where our daughters are told they can be anything, and some of the daughters of yesterday are soldiers today,” said Rep. Pillich. “They fight and fall with their brothers in arms, and deserve the same training and support. Like most soldiers, they simply believe in our great country.”
Women have served in the military since the Revolutionary war, yet Pentagon rules state that women may not be assigned to ground combat units. However, the nature of recent wars including Iraq and Afghanistan has made the differences between front-line and rear areas less distinct. As a result, American military woman are constantly under fire, yet are treated differently under armed forces rules including training and fitness standards than men. The Military Leadership Diversity Commission has concluded that it is time to eliminate barriers based on gender.
Rep. Fedor stated, “Modern warfare requires women to take part in aspects of war that have not been necessary in the past. They are flying helicopters and driving transports, earning the Silver Star and Purple Heart, and dying for their country,” said Rep. Fedor.
“Women should receive equal training, equipment and status as men in uniform. Women should also receive equal services stemming from their time in the military including treatment for post traumatic stress disorder.”
“It is time to give all of our soldiers the training and equipment they need to do their job, it is time to acknowledge a change in modern warfare, and it is time to support all of our troops,” said Rep. Williams. “The proud tradition of our American armed forces demands nothing less.”
Reps. Pillich, Fedor and Williams are veterans of the U.S. Military.
