Erika Lopez, first Tenn. woman to enlist for combat role, goes AWOL from Army (now deserter)

The Washington Times ^ | February 4, 2016 | Kellan Howell

[jazusamo]

The first woman in Tennessee and the fourth in the nation to enlist as a combat engineer in the Army went AWOL last month and is now considered a deserter, according to a military spokesperson.

Erika Lopez made headlines in July when she enlisted for a role that could put her on the front lines of battle, just after the U.S. Army lifted its ban on women in combat roles.

Ms. Lopez was in basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, by September but was placed on convalescent leave by the end of the year, according to a local CBS affiliate.

[rlmorel]

"...Agreed, but it's those soldiers in combat who pay the price, which I find completely unacceptable..."

Exactly spot on. That is the crux of my opposition.

I feel that doing this now with the wind of political correctness behind it is going to sow extremely bitter fruit for our troops who have to fight a real battle in the future in units crippled in order to meet a politically correct expediency.

[SZonian]

"I feel that doing this now with the wind of political correctness behind it is going to sow extremely bitter fruit for our troops who have to fight a real battle in the future in units crippled in order to meet a politically correct expediency."

This.

[Dr. Ursus]

Did she hold the stop and go sign?