General Chat

On a serious note. I would like your opinion on the first women soldier to die in Afghanistan.

Man or woman, the loss is as great for the family and friends of any soldier killed.

Very sad and such a waste of life.................will mankind ever find an alternative to wars??

Yes very good point. Do you think women now have equal rights.

hello sparrow,. the soldier killed was from my county, my husband who is in the TA knew her.

i dont agree with women in the military, i may be shot down but thats my view,

Caz xxx

God bless her bravery x

In what respect Sparrow?

I see people as individuals, not as two seperate groups.

I respect anyone's decision to go into the forces and she would have known the risks as well as any other soldier.

I believe in equality. The only real arguement I was given for women not being on the front line "when a man in your section falls, you can leave him behind, men have a natural protection instinct towards women and would not be able to leave".

I was not to sure what to make of it.

I can't even begin to comment on that statement, but would think any fellow soldier, male or female would be treated the same way.

I agree Sparrow,when my OH served women werent allowed on the front line for those very reasons. When sexes are mixed emotions are far too involved,

Caz xx

Having said that I hear you are allowed to get pregnant and stay in the forces. Two parents serving, who looks after the child.

I believe that a woman's life is not worth any more than a man's life & vice versa. Both are equally precious.

I have to echo Kitty's comments. It's very sad. My thoughts and condolences for all the families involved.

I have the utmost respect for those in the armed services. They are so brave and I know that I'd never be able to be in their position..

I just hope that enough support is given to the families of those that perish and enough support is given to those that survive if they need it.

Hi Lesley, my friend is awaiting her hubbie home from Afghanistan, the only survivor from a vehicle where 4 died,he will need so much support,


Caz xxx

Hi Caz, I really feel for your friend and her husband. I cannot even contemplate the whole spectrum of emotions that they must be experiencing at the moment. They will need so much support as you say.

A woman belongs on the front line as much as a man does if that's what she wants to do!!

I don't agree that a male soldier will leave a male colleague and not a female!! Soldiers are just that..... soldiers!! Male or Female!! They both go in knowing that if the worst occurs then death happens!

They deserve every RESPECT no matter what sex they are!!

I couldn't do their job!!

xx

I'm all for equal rights generally but there are things men are good at and some things only men can do, and vice versa for women. The armed forces are no place for females - shoot me down if you like, but that's my opinion.

Not gonna shoot ya down but why do you think that Ann?

I'm off to bed in a mo..... but want to leave this thread saying we allow 18 year old boys to be on the front line but we baulk at the idea of a woman trained exactly the same as that immature boy being there!!!

In my opinion............ No one under the age of 25 should be allowed to join up as they are not REAL adults and genuinely don't believe anything bad will happen to them!!

just wondering!!! You see I like a bit of chivalry now and again, it's nice to have a man stand up and offer you his seat on a crowded bus or train, or to hold a door open for you - and it's nice for the recipient to say thank you gracefully and be appreciative - that's what's wrong in the world today, people just don't care much about the niceties of life, they;re all too busy looking after No: 1. Rant over. And by the way, back to the original subject, I do very much respect all our armed forces, whether they be male or female!! just wanted to clarify that.

Ann

I too like chivalry but the soldiers I've met ( and I live near a garrison) are not the sort of men to offer their seats to females!!!!

And for the record I am not judging all soldiers by the idiots I've met!!! Just saying that a soldier isn't always a gentleman!! In my experience its only the officers that have manners and they got those before they became officers!!

xx

Night!!

I have no interest in chivalry. Not interested in being herded around by someone no better than me, let alone a complete stranger, deciding for me when and how I go through doors or sit on chairs.

I also have no interest in trying to restrict the opportunities open to other women. What they do, how they choose to achieve their potential and fulfil their aspirations, is not my business to decide. My business is to make sure they, and everyone, have every possible opportunity to make their own choices and act on them.

If a man can be trained to kill, as a member of the armed forces, I think he can probably be trained not to treat those of his comrades who are women like baby bunnies.

I think if a woman decides to train as a soldier or whatever, in any of our forces, she should be treated much the same as the men. This young woman was well respected for the things she brought to her colleagues and the job and obviously didn't play on her being female, she was there to do a job and do it well, and that is what she did. She paid with her life, but she knew the risks as did her husband also in the forces and her colleagues. She wasn't a youngster, and could just have easily trained as a policewoman or a nurse, anything, and been respected for doing that job, so I can't see any argument why women can't be in the army or any other force.
May she and her lost colleagues rest in peace. she sounds a real loss to the world.
Lizx