Theory in Action: Analyzing the 2003 Iraq War 99ond, most of the injuries female marines suffered
were related to movement with very heavy rifle-
man’s assault packs, but the physiology and bone
structure of most males and females differ in key
ways. Were these packs designed for women?
Were their boots? If not, the test was biased.
Third, a feminist international relations theorist
would note that, even if the marines had done all
they could to simulate the kinds of tasks their
combat teams would need to face in real war, the
simulations likely don’t take into account the posi-
tive capabilities women might bring to a team that
could be missing in an all- male team. For example,
we have evidence that males fight harder when
near females and that the ability to tolerate heat,
cold, pain, and hunger tend to differ between the
sexes. Without addressing potentially positive
gender contributions, female marines and mixed
units will appear to be less effective, when in
real ity, combat mixed- gender teams might enjoy
a net benefit in effectiveness. But perhaps the
biggest theoretical insight a feminist IR theorist
might make is that so long as ser vice roles exist
in a hierarchy favoring males, women in the ser-
vice will continue to be thought of as second-
class leaders and team members.For CritiCal analy sis
- Why is it impor tant for us to think through the issue of women in combat, not just in the
United States, but more broadly? - If mixed combat units perform combat simulation tests less effectively than all- male combat
units, does it follow that an all- female unit would also prove less effective? Why or why not? - Do you agree or disagree with the argument that it remains critical for all jobs in the
world’s militaries to be open to women who qualify, because discrimination in the armed
ser vices affects our understanding of women’s leadership and teamwork potential in
other domains, such as work and politics? Develop your argument.
a. Hope Hodge Seck, “Mixed- Gender Teams Come Up Short in Marines’ Infantry Experiment,” Marine Corps
Times, September 10, 2015, www. marinecorpstimes. com / story / military / 2015 / 09 / 10 / mixed - gender - teams
- come - up - short - marines - infantry - experiment / 71979146.
U.S. Marine lance corporal Stephanie Robertson, a
member of a female engagement team (FET), speaks
with local civilians during an engagement mission in
Marjah, Af ghan i stan, in August 2010. The FET is
attached to infantry battalions throughout Af ghan i stan
to aid in engaging the female populace in support of
the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
The ISAF was disbanded in December 2014 with some
troops remaining behind in an advisory capacity.