During the War of Independence in Israel in 1948, women were drafted alongside men into combat positions. Shortly after the war they were no longer allowed in combat, but many continued to serve in the military as trainers. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has always earned my respect in terms of discipline, loyalty and training. Currently, women are allowed in both gender integrated combat units as well as all-female combat units like the Caracal battalion. What caught my attention about units like the Caracal battalion was the alternative approach to integration of women into previously all-male units. What lessons can the American military leaders implement in 2016 to smooth the transition of women into ground combat units?
IDF Women Recruitment poster
1948
retrieved from IDF Women Facebook page
Critics of Defense Secretary Ashton Carter's decision, such as Elaine Donnelly- president of the Center for Military Readiness, often cite the study conducted by the University of Pittsburgh for the United States Marine Corps to demonstrate how all male combat teams outperformed the gender mixed combat teams in 69% of their ground combat tasks (Donnelly, 2015). These results carry the implication that gender mixed units facing greater risks in ground combat than their all-male counterpart units, and in turn national security will face greater risks (Kovach 2015). Others, like retired Army Lieutenant Colonel and author Robert Maginnis, believe that additionally the already serious problem of sexual misconduct and assault will only increase as women join infantry units.(Maginnis, 2013). Could an all woman infantry unit, like the Caracal, provide an alternative template for bringing willing and able women into combat positions? Moreover, are these units successful in the IDF? What is their experience like?
IDF Women Officers
Brauner Teddy
1950
retrieved from Natonal Photo Collection: http://147.237.72.31/topsrch/datafile/wwwm1690.gif
Women of the IDF
Ophir Haglili
December 2011
The name for the Caracal Battalion comes from African desert cats whose gender differences are barely distinguishable.
Family of Caracal cats in the Portland, OR Zoo
September 2011
Articles/Books referenced:
"Deadly Consequences: How Cowards are Pushing Women into Combat" Robert Maginnis. (2013).
"Marine Corps Study Says Units with Women Fall Short on Combat Skills". Gretel Kovach. (2015).
retrieved from:
http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-marines-women-20150912-story.html
"Obama Ignores Sound Military Advice on Women in Direct Ground Combat". Elaine Donnelly. (2015).
retrieved from http://www.cmrlink.org/content/home/37726/obama_administration_ignores_sound_military_advice_on_women_in_direct_ground_combat
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