We may agree on most things, but I will not change my stance on females down range, in combat, in small squads or teams. You mentioned FET earlier, we got two of them for about two weeks, Sgt and Cpl. We didn't have roads to where we were. We had to hump 13 clicks to pick them up. They had their ruck and day packs, with all other gear. Same as when we got dropped off. They couldn't make it. We had to carry their fucking packs for them. When crossing canals, they would hand off their weapons! You don't fucking do that. On patrols they were slow and shit, had terrible situation awareness, not at all tactical, just terrible to have where we were. When patrolling we carried and AT4, two LAW's, and spread load the 1000 rounds of 7.62 for the 240G. We also had a SAW gunner who had 500 rounds and an A bag. We only went out with 8 at a time and a few ANA. These FET's were a liability. They couldn't help carry the extra weight and had no idea how to fire a rocket. Could other females have performed better? I am sure of it. They were pathetic. It also created a problem at our PB. We had 12 Marines and a Corpsman, the PB was about 30x40 yards. Mud walls, hesco and c-wire. We didn't have tents, we had one mud room where the COC was. We didn't have electricity, running water, nothing. We had to make that 13 click hump about twice a week, carry the dead batteries back and get charged ones. Our water and MRE's were air dropped. Not where they land and unload, where they hover and kick them out because the area was so hot. I have videos, then we had to go pick up the shit and hump it back. We didn't have any tents, nothing, just cammie netting. We slept on cots and were in our silkies every minute of the day other than when patrolling. Which we did two 4+ hour patrols a day. Having two females there for the two weeks was extremely hard. Not only because they just sucked at combat/field Marines, but because we had to watch what we did. They slept by us because they had to. It made everything uncomfortable, they were honestly bitches. All the time complaining, and eventually made coms to their higher up to go back. So we had to carry their fucking packs back because they couldnt do it. We got them so they could search females, not even worth it. So yeah I have had only one experience, and I realize that it is an extreme one. I have no issues with them doing 99% of the jobs in the Marine Corps, just not in situations like we had. It is a liability and a nightmare in the PB.
I do know for a fact that there were no Army MP's out there clearing the way, making relations. At the time we were the southern most deployed unit in the Helmand, out of anybody. I dont doubt MP's have done what you say in the past or with other units, just not with us. We only worked with the Army once, a ground clearance team. They had vehicles, whole convoy. Was a huge mission trying to make way to the Safar Bazzar. First day a vehicle got hit. Their Captain CRIED, and said they couldn't complete the mission. They pulled back. So we did it on food with CMD's, k-bars, and Holley sticks. I can give you a whole story on the birth of the Holley stick which saved countless lives. We lost 3 Marines clearing that road, but whatever the Captain is safe.
I admit I have limited experience with females and the Army but I have a sour taste from each. Is it fair? No, I know there are great Females Marines and great Army units. I am just passionate about what I believe in with my experiences. I don't have doubts you can pass the PT test, it is not really hard. What is hard is to get a perfect 300 score. The CFT will kick anyone's ass, I have thrown up twice after, putting it all out there. The point I was making is that the females get to do less with more time in virtually every test. There is a reason for that.
