Women at War: The Challenges of Combat Exclusion

In September 2011, Australia announced its intention to lift all current restrictions on the occupational roles held by women in the armed forces. This decision has raised much awareness in relation to the positions held by women in the British Armed Forces, whereby currently only 70% of occupational roles are available to women with women still excluded from positions involving close combat (Army, 2010). Female exclusion from combat roles has been justified on the basis that gender integration would undermine operational effectiveness but many people seek to gain full equality and equal respect for women soldiers. Modelled as a bastion of masculine culture and aggressiveness, where violence and dominance is promoted, the military culture has traditionally rejected any notions of femininity, sensitivity or caring (Titunik, 2008). Centred upon group cohesion and solidarity, a direct correlation between the occupational culture of the military and its effectiveness has been found (Zeigler & Gunderson, 2005). This research intends to review the effect that female integration of military roles will have on the armed forces. It will examine the fairness of combat exclusion for women as a justification for maintaining operational effectiveness.