Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Female Marine Pullup Failure Doesn’t Mean Women Aren’t Strong
The Federalist ^ | JANUARY 3, 2014 | Mollie Hemingway

Posted on 01/04/2014 2:41:29 PM PST by nickcarraway

More than half of female Marines in boot camp can't do three pullups, the minimum standard that was supposed to take effect with the new year, prompting the Marine Corps to delay the requirement, part of the process of equalizing physical standards to integrate women into combat jobs.

The delay rekindled sharp debate in the military on the question of whether women have the physical strength for some military jobs, as service branches move toward opening thousands of combat roles to them in 2016. Beginning this week, all female Marines were supposed to be able to do at least three pullups on their annual physical fitness test and eight for a perfect score. Men have the same minimum requirement but need 20 for a perfect score. The previous minimum standard for women was a timed flexed-arm hang. The new requirement was tested on female recruits at Parris Island last year but only 45 percent of women could do even three.

Now, some might say that this proves women aren’t strong. Hogwash. Women are very strong. To give just one important example, more than 100 million women give birth each and every year. It is an impressive feat of strength. Women also nurse their babies, which is fraught with problems ranging from mastitis to thrush. Women display physical strength in many ways, from athletic prowess to working jobs requiring them to be on their feet all day.

And it doesn’t prove that men are physically superior in every way. To given just one unimportant example, some large percentage of men have such a hard time dealing with the common cold that fantastic comedy sketches are written about it. (“For God’s sake, woman, he’s a man, he’s got a man cold!”)

But to state the obvious, by which I mean I’m about to say something extremely controversial, the average female is not as strong in the upper-body region as the average man. (Again: Please don’t demand I be written out of polite society for noting this truth that was universally acknowledged until roughly 15 minutes ago.) Even at my Crossfit gym, which is full of freakishly strong humans of both sexes, the men routinely outperform the women. And one of the things I love about my gym is that everyone is simply encouraged to do their work to the best of their ability.

So the problem with the fact that most female Marine recruits aren’t meeting even the minimum requirement for upper-body strength isn’t that women aren’t strong. In fact, the problem is not even that men and women have different physical strengths.

The problem is that we are all supposed to pretend that men and women are identical. It doesn’t help men, women, children or the institutions they inhabit to pretend natural differences don’t exist. And here, it’s actually dangerous. We may have forgotten in our rush to drone warfare what actual combat entails. It’s grueling and requires tremendous physical and mental strength and discipline.

Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Amos wants training officials to “continue to gather data and ensure that female Marines are provided with the best opportunity to succeed,” according to a statement from the Marines. The Associated Press then goes on to characterize the truth that “pullups require the muscular strength necessary to perform common military tasks such as scaling a wall, climbing up a rope or lifting and carrying heavy munitions” simply as a “belief” held by the Marine Corps. I wonder where they got that crazy idea. I mean, I can’t scale a wall or climb a rope but I’ve noticed that everyone at my gym who can do these things can also do a pullup. Or 20 pullups. One can read these statements and the backtracking on pullup requirements as a precursor to watering down the skills required to be effective in a Marine combat situation. The story states that if the military decides to keep some positions closed to women, they must explain why.

Success for women should not mean being viewed, contrary to reality, as interchangeable with men in all things. Men and women are both strong but strong in very different ways, both of which contribute mightily to human flourishing.


TOPICS: Health/Medicine; Military/Veterans
KEYWORDS: dumbingcombatdown; irony; marines; satire; womenincombat
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-91 next last
To: MV=PY

The article is quite comical. Apparently the author thinks dealing with pain makes one strong. All this time I’ve been using intelligent programming in the gym with progressive overload. From now on, I’ll just bash my shins and junk, then call it a day.


21 posted on 01/04/2014 3:00:24 PM PST by EEGator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: dragnet2

http://msn.foxsports.com/ufc/story/rousey-i-can-beat-up-cain-velasquez-110613


22 posted on 01/04/2014 3:01:30 PM PST by EEGator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: RginTN

“Childbirth has nothing to do with battlefield survival.”

I know, that was such a stupid thing to say. OK, so no men can be birth mothers....but we knew that!

And the breastfeeding? It may need some physical stamina (I gave it up PDQ, my child was not getting enough nourishment and I hated it) but “strength” no.


23 posted on 01/04/2014 3:02:42 PM PST by jocon307
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

Good lord.

Did any of you people READ the article past the second paragraph?

She’s on our side, for pete’s sake. She’s saying that men and women are different, and are physically strong in different ways.

The money quote, for those of you who can’t be bothered to read past the headline:

“The Associated Press then goes on to characterize the truth that “pullups require the muscular strength necessary to perform common military tasks such as scaling a wall, climbing up a rope or lifting and carrying heavy munitions” simply as a “belief” held by the Marine Corps. I wonder where they got that crazy idea. I mean, I can’t scale a wall or climb a rope but I’ve noticed that everyone at my gym who can do these things can also do a pullup. Or 20 pullups.”


24 posted on 01/04/2014 3:03:02 PM PST by Terabitten (I'd rather have one Walker than fourteen runners.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: EEGator

If they put her in the ring with a male pro boxer/fighter/MMA, she’d be killed....

Of course, then they’d really wanna ban the sport as it would make them all liars and idiots.


25 posted on 01/04/2014 3:04:23 PM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

The AP nailed it—In modern warfare, fought from computer terminals, it’s ridiculous to assume that Marines will ever have to scale walls, climb ropes, or lift and carry heavy munitions.

It’s all a misogynistic plot.


26 posted on 01/04/2014 3:06:43 PM PST by Arm_Bears (Refuse; Resist; Rebel; Revolt!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Terabitten

bttt


27 posted on 01/04/2014 3:09:24 PM PST by BenLurkin (This is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire; or both.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: Arm_Bears

lol...


28 posted on 01/04/2014 3:10:14 PM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

This is just silly. Even if a woman could do three pullups, that doesn’t make her strong. Three pullups is nothing for a fit man. A man who can only do three pullups is weak.

The average Marine combat load is 70+ pounds of body armor, weapons, ammo and other gear. There are virtually no women who can carry that weight and then perform to even minimal combat standards. If there are more than a handful in the Corps who could do so without quickly sustaining serious injury, let alone do so while picking up and carrying a wounded soldier any amount of distance, I’d be shocked.


29 posted on 01/04/2014 3:10:54 PM PST by Sparticus (Tar and feathers for the next dumb@ss Republican that uses the word bipartisanship.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

Let’s just make all female Marines Generals when the take the Oath before they even begin Basic Training. Problem solved.


30 posted on 01/04/2014 3:13:52 PM PST by Conspiracy Guy (Did the ancients know they were ancients? Or did they see themselves as presents?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

No, it just means that in combat they aren’t near as good as men.


31 posted on 01/04/2014 3:14:12 PM PST by ImJustAnotherOkie (zerogottago)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway
Cindy...grab the ammo...can't...too heavy for me.

Cindy grab Jim...Can't...too heavy.

Never mind Cindy. I'll carry Jim and Joe and the ammo. Just grab the coffee pot...

32 posted on 01/04/2014 3:14:41 PM PST by Sacajaweau
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Arm_Bears

Look, we see woman on TV and in the movies throwing men twice their size around like rag dolls...

We’ve learned from Hollywood, most men are bed wetting fat wimps with IQ’s of dumb puppies...

So there ya have it.


33 posted on 01/04/2014 3:15:11 PM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway
Now, some might say that this proves women aren’t strong. Hogwash. Women are very strong. To give just one important example, more than 100 million women give birth each and every year. It is an impressive feat of strength. Women also nurse their babies, which is fraught with problems ranging from mastitis to thrush. Women display physical strength in many ways, from athletic prowess to working jobs requiring them to be on their feet all day.

Just imagine the war applications there!

I'm not getting anything.

34 posted on 01/04/2014 3:15:35 PM PST by TigersEye (Stupid is a Progressive disease.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway
Project Lioness: Lioness presents the untold story of the first group of women soldiers in US history to be sent into direct ground combat, in violation of official policy. Told through intimate accounts, journal excerpts, archive footage, as well as interviews with military commanders, the film follows five women who served together for a year in Iraq. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1202749/ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1202749/
35 posted on 01/04/2014 3:17:00 PM PST by onona (The Earth is the insane asylum for the universe (yup, I belong))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: freedumb2003

Right. That was her point.


36 posted on 01/04/2014 3:17:57 PM PST by Mrs. Don-o (Women don't play football 'cause 11 of them 'd never wear the same outfit in public. Phyllis Diller)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

rationalizing failure


37 posted on 01/04/2014 3:17:59 PM PST by camle (keep an open mind and someone will fill it full of something for you)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: onona

You suck.


38 posted on 01/04/2014 3:18:17 PM PST by onona (The Earth is the insane asylum for the universe (yup, I belong))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway; freedumb2003
BUT women are not strong WHERE IT COUNTS when on the battlefield.

I LOVE women. I am a heterosexual 66 year old man.

I am glad I am a man.

I would hate to go through a monthly menstruation cycle, with accompanying cramps and bleeding. I wouldn't want to share a tent or foxhole with one that is going through that.

When a man and a woman have that first time "in the sack", it is the woman that experiences pain and discomfort, and we men can just lay back and think how great it was. I wouldn't want the temptation around me on the battlefield.

I doubt I could withstand the pain of childbirth. I don't like to stub my toe. I don't want my battlefield partner getting pregnant so she can go home.

I fathered four children, but the mom is the "go to" when our children have a problem and need a little nurturing. We dads are supposed to be the disciplinarians, and feared (I realize that is not a universal truth).

I would never want to rely on a woman on the battlefield. I am 5'10" and at my prime was around 165 lbs. A 110-120lb. woman could likely not remove my body, whether I am dead or alive.

I love women. My wife is now also my business partner. She can do things I can't do, and has many useful skills. BUT, she always calls on me for lifting the heavy stuff!

39 posted on 01/04/2014 3:19:02 PM PST by WVKayaker ("Today, doesn't it seem like we have a Corrupt Bastards Club in D.C.? On steroids?" -Sarah Palin)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: EEGator
Actually, the author is criticizing those who confuse tough with strength.

She shares your point of view.

40 posted on 01/04/2014 3:19:59 PM PST by Mrs. Don-o (Women don't play football 'cause 11 of them 'd never wear the same outfit in public. Phyllis Diller)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-91 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson