Special Operations Forces units are reportedly dead-set against serving with women because of the potential to "impact mission effectiveness."
According to a
Rand Corp. study that
Defense One says it obtained exclusively, SEALs, Air Force Special Operations Forces and non-commissioned officers "appeared most strongly opposed" to the move, which has now been officially sanctioned by the Pentagon.
"There is strong, deep seated and intensely felt opposition to opening [Special Operations Forces] specialties that have been closed to women," the report notes, Defense One reports.
According to the Rand study, "85 percent of survey participants opposed letting women into their specialty, and 71 percent opposed women in their unit."
"The dominant perspective across the focus groups was that women should not be integrated into special operations forces units and specialties, with potential impact on mission effectiveness and their continued ability to function as a highly performing team central to participants’ concerns," the study states.
Physical ability was among their concerns, the report finds.
"To address the question of women’s abilities to meet [special operations forces] standards, we examined research exploring differences between males and females on physical ability and motor skill tests," the report states, Defense One reports.
"On average, males generally outperform females. That said, although there are often large differences between men and women, primary emphasis must be placed on an individual’s capabilities to perform critical tasks…"
Yet the report sounds a hopeful note.
"Based on our analyses, the challenges facing [Special Operations Command] should it decide to integrate women into [special operations forces] units, are real and multifaceted, but none of them is insurmountable,” the study says, Defense One reports.
"The key to successful integration of out-groups is the implementation process. A successful integration of women into [special operations forces] …will require transparency, effective leadership and communication, monitoring of progress, and openness to innovation, flexibility and adaptability."
Still, the report concludes, "even with all of the above, the process is still likely to face major challenges because of the depth and scope of opposition and concern among the force."
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