By Christy Stutzman / Washington Times
It caught my eye, near the bottom of the second page of a recent newspaper. A short article under the “In Brief” section of USA Today was tucked away, almost unnoticeable. The headline read: “Marines Delay Fitness Plan for Women, After Half Fail.” It went on to report that due to that fact that only 45 percent of women in basic training for the Marines in 2013-14 could do the minimum requirement of three pull-ups, the Marine training officials have delayed the minimum pull-up requirements for women training for combat roles.
From my perspective as a woman, the action being taken by the Marines and other service branches is shocking. The article states: “More than half of female Marines in boot camp can’t do three pull-ups, the new minimum standard. So the Corps is delaying the requirement. All service branches are working on devising standards, training and other policies needed to open thousands of combat roles to women in 2016.”
Wait a minute. Our armed forces, without question, are the best in the world. They are the best because they have the highest standards, the most intense training and the most advanced weapons arsenal on the planet. When we prepare women for combat roles in the Marines, it is not fair to them or to anyone to lower the standards in order for them to claim the title of Marine.
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