Women in Combat: Civic Duty or Military Liability?

Colonel Fenner, an active-duty Air Force intelligence officer and Ms. DeYoung, a former Army chaplain, debated issues from their book, Women in Combat: Civic Duty or Military Liability?, published by Georgetown University Press. Ms. DeYoung contended that women have neither the physical nor emotional stamina to endure the combat experience. She argued that barring women from ground combat is essential to the effectiveness of the military as a whole. Colonel Fenner argued for opening every aspect of military service to all persons who meet objective and fair standards. She said that cultural bias is the reason for banning women from combat. The co-authors answered questions from members of the audience. close