Women in The Military

Sara Luster

Sheer pain stung the body of Officer Sage Santangelo as she desperately tried to complete the Marine Corps officer course one morning. With sweat pouring down her face and a cold chill taking over her body, the decorated officer was forced to quit along with three other women that were trying to complete the course. She was more fit than the average American and showed outstanding tenacity in everything she does. In Colorado, Sage climbed ten of the highest mountains, was an outstanding hockey goalie, and took her first solo flight when she was only fifteen years old. So why couldn’t Sage Santangelo make it to the next level of the Marine Corps?

In Washington, there are several factors that are stopping women from getting to participate or considered to be in direct combat. The main arguments that senators make opposing the laws that would allow women to be considered as participating in direct combat are that women are not physically fit enough, that they are not mentally prepared for battle and don’t belong, or their presence would affect the unity of the troops or units. Throughout my speech today, I will work to show the world, that not all these stereotypes about women are true and that the military can have women that are in some combat positions while maintaining the stature of highest military power in the world.

Women are not meant for battle and do not have the mental capacity to handle that all direct combat presents. Sergeant Leigh Ann Hester received the Silver Star, which is the third highest award to get as a military officer for battle valor. Insurgents attacked the officer and her Kentucky National Guard convoy from a field they were driving by. The sergeant major and Hester had to kill the last four insurgents and the five foot four, female officer was able to kill 3 of the 4 insurgents.