Former Navy SEAL Dick Couch comments on U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta's decision to lift the military's ban on women serving in combat.
The Pentagon’s decision to give women the chance to serve in front-line combat drew mixed reactions Wednesday from female veterans in the Chicago area.
Veterans such as U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth -- the first woman injured in combat ever elected to national office, when she ousted former Republican Rep. Joe Walsh this past November.-- applauded the move as a broadening of opportunities for women and said it will improve the nation’s armed forces But several older veterans said most women are not physically strong enough to participate directly in combat.
Duckworth fought in Iraq as a Blackhawk helicopter pilot, one of the only combat positions available to women at the time, for the Illinois Army National Guard. She lost both her legs when a rocket-propelled grenade hit her helicopter in 2004.
The Pentagon’s decision overturns a 1994 ruling that banned women from being assigned to smaller ground combat units.
“The decision to allow women to serve in combat will allow the best man or woman on the frontline to keep America safe,” Duckworth, D-Ill., said in a statement Wednesday. “As a combat veteran, I know the inclusion of women in combat roles will make America safer and provide inspiration to women throughout our country.”
Lizette Rhone, president of the Chicago chapter of the Women's Army Corps Veterans' Association, served during World War II. As an African American, she joined in 1943 hoping to be able to serve overseas. But er race in the then-segregated military prohibited that and she instead served in an administrative role in Missouri, she said.
Rhone said some women would have jumped at the opportunity to serve in combat, even during World War II.
“I think it’s the type of career some women would look forward to,” said Rhone, 86. “Now, they have the opportunity to really just soar.”
Rhone and Duckworth said women have been serving in combat zones, unofficially, for years.
“You can’t believe that these women were in combat areas and never fired a gun and tried to protect themselves,” Rhone said. “We knew that (women) had been doing this.”
Two other female World War II veterans, however, said they aren’t comfortable with the idea of women serving in combat.
Yolanda Imhoff, 94, of Evanston, served as a sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, at that time part of the U.S. Army, as a high-speed radio operator in Europe. She worries that women are generally not as strong as men and that women might be more vulnerable if captured by the enemy.
“They did teach us how to practice shooting a gun,” Imhoff said about her time in service. “We did have that. But as far as any combat, I’m, being my age, and what I saw and went though, I’m not sure I think women should be in combat.”
Doris Dina, 88, of Chicago, also a World War II veteran, said she doesn’t think it’s a good idea for most women, but that it could work for some.
“I appreciate the fact that some women are strong and they can handle combat,” Dina said. “I think it would be good for them. But not for people like myself.”
David McArtin of Round Lake, a 30-year Navy veteran, said it’s about time women serve in combat. He understands that some, like Imhoff, fear women will be raped or subjected to abuse.
“That’s happening today,” McArtin said. “I think we need to accept these things will happen in combat. ... And not every woman is going to say, ‘This is for me.’ Not everyone in America serves.”
Tribune reporter Lisa Black contributed to this report.
[email protected]
The Pentagon’s decision to give women the chance to serve in front-line combat drew mixed reactions Wednesday from female veterans in the Chicago area.
Veterans such as U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth -- the first woman injured in combat ever elected to national office, when she ousted former Republican Rep. Joe Walsh this past November.-- applauded the move as a broadening of opportunities for women and said it will improve the nation’s armed forces But several older veterans said most women are not physically strong enough to participate directly in combat.
Duckworth fought in Iraq as a Blackhawk helicopter pilot, one of the only combat positions available to women at the time, for the Illinois Army National Guard. She lost both her legs when a rocket-propelled grenade hit her helicopter in 2004.
The Pentagon’s decision overturns a 1994 ruling that banned women from being assigned to smaller ground combat units.
“The decision to allow women to serve in combat will allow the best man or woman on the frontline to keep America safe,” Duckworth, D-Ill., said in a statement Wednesday. “As a combat veteran, I know the inclusion of women in combat roles will make America safer and provide inspiration to women throughout our country.”
Lizette Rhone, president of the Chicago chapter of the Women's Army Corps Veterans' Association, served during World War II. As an African American, she joined in 1943 hoping to be able to serve overseas. But er race in the then-segregated military prohibited that and she instead served in an administrative role in Missouri, she said.
Rhone said some women would have jumped at the opportunity to serve in combat, even during World War II.
“I think it’s the type of career some women would look forward to,” said Rhone, 86. “Now, they have the opportunity to really just soar.”
Rhone and Duckworth said women have been serving in combat zones, unofficially, for years.
“You can’t believe that these women were in combat areas and never fired a gun and tried to protect themselves,” Rhone said. “We knew that (women) had been doing this.”
Two other female World War II veterans, however, said they aren’t comfortable with the idea of women serving in combat.
Yolanda Imhoff, 94, of Evanston, served as a sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, at that time part of the U.S. Army, as a high-speed radio operator in Europe. She worries that women are generally not as strong as men and that women might be more vulnerable if captured by the enemy.
“They did teach us how to practice shooting a gun,” Imhoff said about her time in service. “We did have that. But as far as any combat, I’m, being my age, and what I saw and went though, I’m not sure I think women should be in combat.”
Doris Dina, 88, of Chicago, also a World War II veteran, said she doesn’t think it’s a good idea for most women, but that it could work for some.
“I appreciate the fact that some women are strong and they can handle combat,” Dina said. “I think it would be good for them. But not for people like myself.”
David McArtin of Round Lake, a 30-year Navy veteran, said it’s about time women serve in combat. He understands that some, like Imhoff, fear women will be raped or subjected to abuse.
“That’s happening today,” McArtin said. “I think we need to accept these things will happen in combat. ... And not every woman is going to say, ‘This is for me.’ Not everyone in America serves.”
Tribune reporter Lisa Black contributed to this report.
[email protected]