Women should not serve in Marine combat units

Marines -- active duty, retired and former -- are about to witness the downfall of the most elite fighting force in the world.

A trickle-down order from Barrack Obama to his "light-in-the-seat" managers: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter (never served a day) and Ray (whatever you say) Mabus, Secretary of the Navy, has deemed a Few Good Men not politically correct. The Marine Corps has been ordered to integrate all fighting units, including Force Recon, with females.

This question surfaced a few months back and failed to grab the attention of the public. The public went to the "head in the sand" approach or to quote Hillary, "What difference does it make?"

Women do not belong in combat -- period!

I realize that the country has changed considerably over the last century. Affirmative action and equal opportunity practices took hold in the 1970s and regardless of what you believe, standards and principles were modified to accommodate and pursue these new customs. In order to re-create everyone "equal," sacrifices had to be made.

To strengthen the weak, the military weakened the strong and have been doing so ever since. Lowering standards and a reduction of requirements leaves us with a questionable fighting force.

Can women serve with a Marine Force Recon outfit or a Seal unit without reducing and compromising these elite teams' ability and effectiveness in carrying out a mission?

There are ways to serve in the military other than direct combat. I absolutely believe women should register for the draft. Selective service has to be gender neutral.

If you value your freedoms, leave the United States Marine Corps alone to fight your battles and protect your homeland. Political correctness is just another way of dumbing down America and destroying our country.

Semper Fi.

Bob Harrington

Bradenton

This story was originally published May 8, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Women should not serve in Marine combat units ."