[Felix The Assassin]

Physical abilities = physical limitations. In PT shorts, and T-shirt, I tip the scales at 245Lbs. Once the tape-test is complte my Army BFI = 14.5%.

In full battle rattle, my total combat weight then becomes 338lbs.
38lbs = IBA/ Uniform (body armor)
28lbs = New Ruck (back pack) system
6lbs = M4 w/30 rd magazine
15lbs = LBV (Load Bearing Vest) Not on IBA (Ammo, H2O etc)
6lbs = Helmet

IBA range in weight from 18-24lbs
Basic load on back pack 22-30lbs
Weapon M4 = just under 7, M16 almost 10lbs
I prefer the LBV over the IBA, some attach the qucik clips to their IBA, basic load 180 rds, 2qts water, 1st aid kit, bayonet etc.
Kevlar new style = 6, old school = 8.

Now, one set fits all, for Small soldiers add 85 lbs, Medium add 87lbs, Large add 90, and XL+ add 93-95. Ok, so you take the back pack off - 28lbs. Think of still wearing 50+lbs of gear on ones body, think of reaction time, and impaired movement.

Consider the physical difference. The Army has changed Basic over the past months to prepare new recruits to fill directly into combat ready units. No longer can little Johnny pass the PT test at 2/3 standard. HOWEVER, the Female chart has yet to cahnge.
Lets use the entry 17-21 year olds.
Push-Up for PASS M=42 F=19 for MAX M=71 F=42
Sit-up for PASS M=53 F=53 for MAX M=78 F=78 No typo, equality.
2mile run PASS M=15:54 F=18:54 for MAX M=13:00 F=15:36.

We, as in the Armor Battalion, conducted an unsponsored test during gunnery a few years back. We invited any and all of the soldiers, and keyed towards female soldiers, to attempt tank crew operations simulating loading the main gun. We had quite a few show up, only 5 of the 27 soldiers could manage the task. Of the test personnel 12 were female 15 male. Of the 5 that could actually load the main gun 100% were male. The dummy round we use to train loaders with is 100% physically identical to the actual round it replicates. Except it is made of poly and not combustable cartridge. Anyhow, the task is to retrive the round from the ammo well, load it into the main gun, check the path of recoil, arm the gun, and announce UP. Now for tankers this is clocked for a maximum of 7 seconds, with seasoned loaders accomplishing the task in under 3 seconds. We did not hold time standards, just to see who could do it. A 120mm dummy round only weighs 52lbs for SABOT and 64lbs for HEAT. 5 of 15 males could actually accomplish the task. 0 of 12 females. Total of 5 for 27. Again there are no-longer any non-shooters! Right.

Mentality has been brought up. I have trained all of my military career to do nothing more than 'Put Steel on Target'. To Kill. To Destroy. To Conquer. To Annihilate the enemy. To push through the objective. To secure the far-side, re-organize, care for the wounded, call or conduct CASEVAC, and prepare for the counter attack. It's in my blood. It's instilled in my tank commanders, and pounded into all of my LTs!

Now, I can see enhancing the training for ALL NON-DIRECT COMBAT units, and turning them into shooters. The new remark is there are no longer non-shooters we are all shooters. There are no defined front lines. Then by all means get trained. Get hot, get prepared. Dish it out if you receive fire, just do it. Just don't think the mission is to difficult when you are called to the engagement area.

Now, lets discuss headline news. Are we the people prepared to see equality in the KIA listings? This is where my train of thought was heading, but after I've just bored you all into submission, the real question is can we handle HEADLINE NEWS?