No Trans In The Military Says Trump

[Neo-Scholastic]

I was mostly referring to permanent stateside posts.

I could see that would not be a problem unless there's an actual invasion (unlikely but possible). Otherwise, I don't think it would be a personnel problem. I worked on a high-rise construction project where the elevator controls contractor came to the site with a full application of make-up. After the initial curious glance no one had a problem with him. That was back in the 90's among tradesman and laborer's who despite all the stereotypes thrust upon them by the more educated classes, presumably enlightened urban hipsters, and delicate snowflakes, are probably some of the most tolerant people I know. Maybe because they are too busy working to worry about identity politics.

[Minimalist]

I sympathize with soldiers who are still thought of as cannon-fodder by the commanders.



What the fuck are we doing in Afghanistan?

[Brian37]

Thank you Brian

Yeah..that kind of stuff makes me grateful that there are stronger men than I out there.

The truth is as individuals in a collective species we are all different, so I think it is bullshit to think a woman or LGBT cant handle it as much as I think it is bullshit to think every man can. Handling that kind of stress is a matter of individual personality and training, and not always about brawn.

I can tell you in my life, I have run into plenty of women tougher than me and watching the news now, also transgender. They are literally doing what I know I could not, and for that, I thank them.

[Catholic_Lady]

I understand why they do it. They have to both prepare you for war as well as test your physical and mental state. The ones who aren't fit for it will be weeded out before they are faced with the real thing.

I have never understood why people piss on those who wash out. Why the fuck would you want someone on the job whom could not handle it? Think about it, would you get on a jet if the pilot panicked over a broken gauge or dead engine? NO NO NO, if I get on a jet I want someone like Sully Sullenberger, stay's calm and stays focused. 

I have long hated the mentality that if you admit you cant do something you are weak. No, it just means you cant do that one thing. 

The other aspect of this stigma of failure is that those who go in, can suffer severe PTSD even if they make it through basic, then end up getting their brains mentally scrambled and come back with no help.

I am glad I didn't make it, and I am glad there is a vetting system, both for the safety of those whom make it, and for the safety of those who dont. The last thing you want on the battlefield is someone who cant do their job because they are so stressed out.

I agree. Military is definitely NOT for everyone. And there's absolutely no shame if it isn't for you. I know id never get through the first day.

[JackRussell]

Try being in a firefight and shitting yourself.

If you're fighting with me I don't even consider your gender identity issues. I know I have fought alongside some terrible GAYS, so glad they were my comrades at the time.

[Jesster]

Try being in a firefight and shitting yourself.

If you're fighting with me I don't even consider your gender identity issues. I know I have fought alongside some terrible GAYS, so glad they were my comrades at the time.

It's appropriate that you brought up gay people. Similar arguments were made against them when they were first allowed to openly serve in the military. Nobody seems to care now because nothing bad came of it. The bigots needed a new target after that, and now they've found one.

[Shell B]

Bio women dealt with the same shit and still do. We'll be a distraction sexually. We're not mentally stable enough. We're not fit enough. We need more special services. Blah, blah, blah.

[Catholic_Lady]

Yeah I see no issue with women in the military if they meet the requirements. I guess you could make the argument of pregnancy making them undeployable for about a year, but i dont see how it would be practical to ban all women on the grounds that they *could* get pregnant. Many don't while in service. What I don't agree with is lowering the standards of physical tests so that women can join the more hardcore positions like navy seal or marine. Thats just ridiculous.

[Brian37]

I sympathize with soldiers who are still thought of as cannon-fodder by the commanders.



What the fuck are we doing in Afghanistan?

Again, while that is a nice thought, it is still a utopia. For conflict to cease the entire world's population would have to all think the same way, but the problem is, just like with other life in an ecosystem all that diverse life is competing for resources. You can only reduce conflict through diplomacy, but you will never have 100% conflict free evolution.

---

Try being in a firefight and shitting yourself.

If you're fighting with me I don't even consider your gender identity issues. I know I have fought alongside some terrible GAYS, so glad they were my comrades at the time.

It's appropriate that you brought up gay people. Similar arguments were made against them when they were first allowed to openly serve in the military. Nobody seems to care now because nothing bad came of it. The bigots needed a new target after that, and now they've found one.

I agree, and the same argument was made about blacks wen they desegregated the military.

But this new bullshit with trans is the same thing with gays. If the worry is assault why would that be any different between a man and a woman in the military?

If someone assaults you the issue isn't what their plumbing is or what they identify as, but the assault itself. It would be no different than if a 6ft tall guy punched a 5 foot 6 inch guy in the face. The issue is unwanted contact, not gender identity or plumbing.

A long time ago I went to a pro choice rally and after we were invited to a gay couple's apartment in DC for a party. The hosts were fantastic, but like any party, there is always one asshole who gets too drunk to know what they are doing. So this one guy took my attention as flirting and a licence to grab my ass. I shouted at him, and that got the attention of everyone in the room. The hosts, the gay couple told  him to leave, which he did and they apologized to me. I told them there was nothing to apologize for because they didn't to it. And I am sure that one guy wont be invited back to their parties again. Now did I get angry because he was gay? No, I got angry because he touched me without my consent. Really no different than when a man does that to a woman. 

But especially with military in combat situations, even with all men, the last thing on anyone's mind is going to be groping or raping someone. LGBT are no different, they just want to serve, not cause trouble. Just like most heterosexual men don't assault women even if there is a ratio that do. Most humans in general are going to do the right thing.

[Minimalist]

Frederick thought of his army as "walking muskets."  As far as he was concerned it was not a term of derision.  No one knows what the soldiers thought.
Or cared much, either.