Published in Sierra Vista Herald

One of the clearest memory I have as a child was the day I asked my dad, why women weren’t allowed to go to battle with him. He answered, “I guess the world isn’t ready to see women at war.” But now, the world is ready.

Ash Carter announced that the armed services would no longer prevent female soldiers from signing up to fight in the front lines. He said our military has until Jan. 1 to submit plans of action, and until April 1 to put those plans in place.

The year of 2016 be the end of an era beginning in 1902, where women were forbidden from the same opportunities of patriotism as men. Rosie the Riveter would be bursting with pride if she could see the journey lasting over a century reach its end. The women who’ve been inspired by the real Rosie’s in history, have now witnessed history themselves.

For Judy Lyle, a former Master Sergeant in the Air Force her nine-year career might have looked different if she had the same opportunities while enlisting. But because she never had the option, she never thought much about it. “I always saw myself as a support role,” she said. Now that the possibility has been opened to her and her sisters in arms, she’s not even shocked.

“It’s not that big of a deal, it’s just evolution. Women have wanted to be in the front lines. I think that women can do a fantastic job, they just have to be willing to sacrifice the same things the men are sacrificing,” Lyle said.

For Lyle, being in the military was more about contributing to something beyond her whether she was a linguist, or a nurse. “I think everyone should have to serve some sort of time to our country whether it be military service or community service, like in Israel. I like the idea of learning what it is to work for something much much bigger than yourself and have different aspects of that,” she said.

But now everyone, male or female, may be required to offer their contributions by signing up for the draft. Jamie Taylor, who signed up for the military intelligence corps in 1999, realizes that equality when it comes to the draft is a necessary part of this evolution.

“The intent of the draft was to enlist as many conscripts to fill potential vacancies that may be needed should conflict arise. Many of these positions were infantry. Since women are now allowed to join as such, women should be drafted as well,” she said.

The Army gauges “strength and endurance” in the way the Army Physical Readiness Test is scored: there are two categories, Male and Female (further divided into age groups). The requirements for push-ups, sit-ups and 2 mile run are significantly different for each gender. Males are required to complete more repetitions of the first two exercises than women. The same is true for the run (and alternate aerobic tests such as 2 ½ mile walk, swim and bicycle ride).

My dad, Jimmie Braggs now retired Master Sergeant of the Army, said these differences once lead him to believe that these such rules were set in place to “protect women military personnel from the dangers of war.”

But almost 30 years of serving with hundreds of women showed him he was wrong, he said, “Women have consistently proven themselves to be vital members of the band of warriors (to replace the old term Brothers), and since 2003 have served in combat, engaging the enemy suffering horrific injuries and even death. It is time women be allowed the opportunity to serve with great distinction in any position, combat and non-combat, that they qualify for.”

“There have been many advocates over the past decade that have fought for women to be included in organizations that are trained specifically for combat and tactical warfare, and they have it now. The daughters of the United States of America are now able to enlist for this, and with that right comes the draft. You cannot have your cake and eat it too,” Lyle said.

According to Taylor women enlisting will have a lot to consider. “As a woman, I realize that if I have a fellow Soldier in my squad that gets wounded in combat and he weighs 245 pounds, there stands a good chance that I may not be able to drag or carry him to safety due to my physical limitations. On the flip side of this, there are great strength training sessions out there that could acclimate my body and muscles to endure that stress and load,” she said.

She added, “This change is about affording women the opportunity to excel and succeed where they have not been able to previously. Only time can tell how history will be written.”