Whilst I would not go as far as to advocate that a woman’s place is barefoot, pregnant, and in the kitchen, I can not see women in combat zones. The very idea is ludicrous.
This sentiment, whether you (plural) support it or not is no longer relevant considering there are very few remaining specialties within the military that are not open to women. That's the "law of the land" and any effort to change it now would be going up a big steep hill (like K2 perhaps). There are many many high-quality female officer and enlisted soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen that would challenge your right to take away their ability to serve their country in the manner of
their choosing. Would you take from them, or simply marginalize what they are doing? This young lady can make her own choice, on her own terms, with her own generations perspective on what is right and what is wrong for a woman to do in the world.
Disclaimer: My DW and I are both USAFA graduates so this hits pretty close to home. Some thoughts based on several of the comments being made:
1. The military academies provide an education that is matched by very few universities. Sure, some are better, but I doubt I'd be very far into counting toes before I reach them. The academies have access to programs, equipment and facilities that typically are on the forefront of science. For example, I thought the Astronautical Engineering department was amazing for the abundance of leading-edge facilities and a top-notch faculty it provided to the
undergraduate student. I think the most people I ever had in one class was around 20 and 1-on-1 help by the professor/instructor was there anytime you needed it.
2. Sexual Misconduct - when these reports started coming out my DW and I talked to several friends around the world. None of us (to include several ladies) ever heard of these things happening to anyone of our peers while we were there. I'm not saying there wasn't anything going on USAFA, obviously there was. But, I don't think it was as prevalent as depicted in the media. The true issue was how the incidents were being covered up by the cadets and then poorly handled by the senior officers when finally reported. USAFA leadership was fired/replaced, and a significant sexual misconduct and reporting/professional conduct training program was implimented. I personally think you'd be less likely to have a problem in this area at the academies than at a civilian university. Military academies are just under too much of a microscope and recent events (1999-2004 especially) make it even less likely to occur.
3. I've served with and alongside many female officers and they run the same spectrum of quality as the men, and they may even lean toward the better officers around (as Nords alluded). It's just a matter of time before I work for a lady, and I'd say I'm unusual in that it hasn't happened yet. It's really not something I waste any brainpower on - someday I'll work for another person that happens to be a woman. No difference...and I'm in a pretty combat oriented field too. Is this really any diffent than the civilian world?
4. It's not a life long decision when you are 18. You can exit stage left any time in the first two years at a military academy without owing anything (at least if things haven't changed recently). There is a commitment following graduation but as a taxpayer I'm sure you can see the importance of that. You can get a pretty good set of experiences at a relatively young age to take with you to your next civilian job if you find the military isn't for you at the ripe old age of *cough* 26. My wife decided to leave the AF after 6 years. Based on the high level awards she was winning it probably should have been the other way around, but that was the choice that was made (by her I'd emphasize). She doesn't regret her time on active duty at all, but I also know she is happy she left when she did.
5. The comment about the military not being for everyone is absolutely correct. She really needs to consider what it means to be in the Navy before making the decision, especially in our current world. Ditto if she decides to pursue ROTC at university.
6. Someone already said this very well, but I'll just repeat that she's going to make this decision on her own. You can steer and guide, but if she's determined it won't really matter. I often wonder what my FIL thought (a Korea Navy man himself) when his daughter decided to to to USAFA. Frankly, I don't think he was too fond of the idea, but he's a very supportive father.
And that's probably the most important thing. Whatever her choice, wherever she decides to go to school, you've obviously got to back her decision 100%. Your support for her decision will be critical to her success no matter where she winds up.
AV8