Defense Statecraft: If Presidential Bid Fails, Santorum Could Have a Future Installing Glass Ceilings.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

If Presidential Bid Fails, Santorum Could Have a Future Installing Glass Ceilings.

Rick Santorum recently spoke out against women participating in military combat. In a reverse of protocol, the Pentagon announced plans to permit women to work in combat battallions in roles as interrogators, medics, radio operators and so forth. The professional progression of women within the military, while still behind modern societal expecations, is advancing. Santorum disagrees with this direction of military affairs.

Santorum stated that he believes that "emotions" may take over in the heat of battle and jeopardize a mission. "When you have men and women together in combat, I think men have emotions when you see a woman in harm's way, I think it's natural. It's very much in our culture to be protective.", states Santorum. Thus, a military's operations will be threatened due to these pesky women who seem to find themselves in danger and need being saved.

Santorum's remarks are missing in critical areas. He ignores the idea of the military being professionally trained. There has been, is and will always be an emphasis to think rationally and not emotionally. Second, humans have a "natural" inclination to save each other in combat. The creed "no man left behind" resonates throughout military history, yet, "no woman left behind" seems to sow chaos within a military operation. Third, if a woman sees a man being threatened, would she not be capable of helping him in the military? Do we not want our soldiers acting in defense of their brothers and sisters? To add salt to the wound, Santorum talks of "all sorts of physical issues" that cause him worry when considering women in active-combat role, while over 75% of Americans support women in combat roles. These are vital issues that reverberate thoughout our politics, culture, military, society and world. We can only trust this decision to a capable party: Do no worry women, these decisions are not yours to make, Santorum will do it for you.