The Kinder, Gentler Military: Can America's Gender-Neutral Fighting Force Still Win Wars

I discussed Gutmann's book with a friend who is quite liberal; I am not. I reviewed her main points, and, as ususal, we disagreed. In a remarkable parallel to the text, our conversation went something like: "War is a human experience that men are best genetically programmed and adapted to conduct" - "That is a sexist, incorrect, and undefensible position"; "Women are not physically or culturally identical to men in the tasks required of war" - "It doesn't matter, the tasks can be reengineered"; "The agenda of radical feminists is to alter the military without regard to combat readiness" - "Get used to it; things are changing and military men must change with the times"; "Male warriors are disenchanted with social engineering at the cost of declining combat capability" - "Then they can leave"; "They are indeed leaving, and in huge numbers" - "Good riddance to those dinosaurs"; "What happens when we have a war?" - "There won't be any more wars."; "What then is the purpose of the military" - "To provide jobs and opportunities in an area previously denied to women and to manage the few minor conflicts using technology rather than blood." Gutmann convincingly argues that the Emperor, if not yet naked, is shedding his military uniform right in front of us and happily describing his trendy new clothes, while the court syncopants marvel at his revolutionary and morally correct fashion. If the crowd is heard snickering, the palace guard moves in until the crowd quiets. If you listen, as Gutmann has done, to the whispering voices in the crowd, solid citizens are saying, "He's gonna be stark naked pretty soon!". Having been in the military as an enlisted Marine and as an Air Force officer, passage after passage, source after source in Gutmann's book resonated with me. Her compelling question is whether a feminized, sanitized, politicized military can fight and win, and thereby justify our nation's expense and sacrifice. Gutmann doesn't take a position; rather, she goes to the mid and junior level officers and mid-level enlisted personnel and, in a politically correct manner, lets their voices be heard. And, in an equally politally correct manner, at least half of her sources are women. I have many friends and contacts in the military and, after reading "A Kinder, Gentler Military" I have a better understanding of their discouragement and frustration in trying to keep their units combat oriented and mentally and physically ready -- and I understand better why young officers and enlisted people are leaving -- in droves. For anyone interested in our national defense, how our tax dollars are being spent in achieving it, and whether we can fight and win, Gutmann is a highly recommended read.

Stephanie Gutmann has fired a powerful salvo at the forces of political correctness. As an ex-Marine with combat experience, I have followed military issues with utter disbelief since I left in 1984. Finally an articulate spokesperson for millions of perplexed GIs and veterans has taken on the taboo subject of how our armed forces have changed their focus from war fighting to gender equality, sexual harassment, prenatal care and childcare issues to the detriment of military efficacy. The fact that Gutmann is a civilian woman lends credibility to her objective observations and conclusions. All who are interested in and especially those who influence military policy must read this book.

Great book! Finally, someone with some sense tells the truth about the embarrassing state of our armed forces. This book is an interresting and objective overview of the effects of the forced integration of women into the services during the 90s. Spending 1994-1998 in the Marine Corps myself, I have to sadly admit that I have witnessed those effects myself. I liked this book because it was written by a civilian woman, in a totally unbiased way. It is full of great examples, most of which were startling to me. This book tells the sad truth, and should be read by any citizen who cares for our beloved country, especially former and current service members, veterans, and, of course,the feminnists. It is an outrage that we, as a society, can allow such weakening of the very forces which are charged with providing us with protection. Our military is becoming a joke, and in the end the joke will be on all of us. If you care about the safety of your family and your country, this book is a must- read. It is an eye-opener. I give great thanks to the author.

Many of you who are looking at this book to be a caustic rebuke of feminism may find this book dissapointing. Ms Gutmann's primary thesis is that the military's integration of women at all levels has changed the military culture. She persuasively argues that this culture change has substantially weakened our military's ability to fight and win our nations battles. She uses several examples throughout the book and I have to say that for a woman who has never been in uniform her facts and descriptions of the armed forces are impressive. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and couldn't agree with her more. As a last note, she writes an excellent review of the entire Tailhook scandal which is noteworthy in my mind. Bravo!

Ms. Gutmann's book is an exact accounting of how the world of 'political correctness' has destroyed our military. Ms. Gutmann also exposes the many politicans and military brass that betrayed the military man and woman. As a former Women Marine, I find this book essential reading for every citizen who loves this country.