Letter to the Editor: Seeing the results of the government’s new gender equality policy

Dear Editor:
In 1969, I was drafted into the army. Back then, there were men from all walks of life. Due to the draft, there were college students, high school dropouts, circus performers, bankers and every occupation in between. There were even a goodly number of men who were given the option of going into the military or going to the jail for offenses ranging from petty crimes to murder. Some of these men made it through Vietnam and are better men for it; others did not. But, the same was true of those who volunteered. Some found fulfillment in serving their country, and others were scarred for life. Such is the nature of war.
During this same time, women were exempt from the draft. Those that joined the military mainly served in areas related to clerical or medical care, and although their contributions were limited, they were very necessary and appreciated. Beginning in the late 1970s the military opened up the enlistment opportunities to allow more women into the military in a range of areas that were not previously available to them. These areas were still limited to non-combat zones.
Beginning in the 1980s the military would no longer accept high school dropouts or any young person who had a criminal record. Their new slogan was “The best and the brightest.” This is all well and good but by doing this, a large group of people were suddenly limited in the options available to them.
In the past, some women served close to the battlefields in MASH units, others were taken prisoner of war and suffered unspeakable things. Yet, it was never the intention of our government to place these women in direct danger. Now our government has announced their intention to allow women to join our young men on the field of combat. Never before have we as a nation asked our women to kill and risk being killed for our country.
On a recent trip to the VA hospital in Shreveport, La., I saw the results of this new policy. A young woman was trying, unsuccessfully, to open a door. You see, she was just learning how to use her two prosthetic arms. Is this what our country has come to? Are we now to send our best and our brightest off to war and at the same time turn our backs on the young people who have foolishly limited their options with petty crimes and dropping out of school? Are only the best and the brightest of our young men and women allowed to sacrifice their lives for their nation?
My heart goes out to the families who lose a son and now possibly a daughter to the horrors of war.

Harold E. Beauman II