I haven’t seen to much common ground upon which Barry Obama and I agree.  However, I do agree with his position that women should be forced to register for selective service.  Why not?  If we are, indeed, for true gender equality in this country, why would women not be forced to register right alongside the boys?

Along the lines of equality, the military should have identical physical fitness standards for men and women.  That is something that I always found to be ridiculous when I was in the military.  Men and women have very different physical requirements – separate running times, push-up, sit-up requirements – across the board.  And, as I think back, I do not recall the female requirements to be challenging at all.  In fact, the differences were so inequitable that it was absurd.

But, I ask you… if you are a pilot and you get shot down, will the enemy judge men and women differently… “well, give her a 3 minute head start… she has separate physical standards.”  Hardly.  Let’s all get on the same playing field – across the board.

I am for equality – in very since of the world.  I remember a Marine option when I was in ROTC at Vanderbilt who could absolutely kick my butt in everything, physically – hands down.  I admit it.  And, though I have lost touch with her, I am sure she made a fantastic Marine.  It does the military, nor the cause of women in the military, any good to be judged differently in their physical fitness.  My thinking is… one set of standards… and if you can hack it… be on the front lines if you want… man OR woman.