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Apply the policy paradox model to this policy "The Obama policy lifting the prohibition of women from
serving in combat " comparing to studies done in other countries
Applying Policy Paradox Model
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Table of Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 3
Analysis process ............................................................................................................................................ 4
Comparison between Combat Women in U.S and Other Countries ........................................................ 4
United States ............................................................................................................................................. 4
Israel .......................................................................................................................................................... 5
France........................................................................................................................................................ 7
Germany .................................................................................................................................................... 7
Canada ...................................................................................................................................................... 8
Denmark .................................................................................................................................................... 8
Netherlands............................................................................................................................................... 9
Problems ................................................................................................................................................. 10
Solutions ................................................................................................................................................. 12
Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................... 15
Recommendations ...................................................................................................................................... 16
References ................................................................................................................................................... 17







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Applying Policy Paradox Model
Introduction
A critical look into roles of female soldiers at war since the pre-historic period reveals
them as being casualties of war, warriors, and as camp followers. However, the excellent roles
played by these service women have prompted the congress and the entire military
administration to redefine the role of female soldiers in direct ground combat operations. This
paper therefore, gives an analysis of results of the study that seeks to address the mentioned
questions through the use of the paradox policy model in comparison to combat women in other
nations like Australia, Canada, Britain, Germany, France, Denmark and Israel. Under the model,
it is worth noting that all these decisions come amid several lawsuits against the Pentagon
(Baumgartner & Jones, 1993).
Deborah Stones approach of policy paradox gives four theoretical constructs that gives a
description of the preferred model of political reasoning. In the political model, the goals are not
defined adequately and are subjected to changes or manipulations. The policy paradox is highly
profound but does not give a description of the coherent knowledge of philosophy. In the polis
community, the rational approach behind this policy can be used to generate potential and lasting
solutions to political ideologies as in the case of Obama administration, for this study. Therefore,
the decisions made by the U.S congress and Obama administration with regard to its women
military are more of political reasoning and thus needs a rational policy so as to solve the
political conflicts. For effective address of the issues arising from Obamas administration, I
have categorized the issues into three procedural sections based on the Stones model, stating
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from the goals of the that the administration aimed at achieving while setting up the lawsuits, the
problems that came over as a result and the possible solutions.

Analysis process
Comparison between Women participation in combat in the U.S and Other Countries
This part gives a description of combat women in the United States if America and other
nations of the world such as Israel, France, Germany, Canada, Denmark and Netherlands. This
comparison is done basing on the enrolment women in the defense forces of the respective
nations and their subsequent positions as well as their roles in combat. The comparison between
combat women in the U.S and other nations is as discussed below.
United States
In the U.S, women were not employed in close combat roles. However, the risk rule
which prevented women from joining military units that had high chances of engaging in combat
was lifted by the Defense Secretary. This came about as a fact that warfare kept changing
leading to no safe place in the battlefield. The military units such as the military intelligence
collection, the divisional forward battalions and the division military police were made open to
women, though their service was restricted from involvement in combat units that were direct
and took part in intentional actions against the enemies. The opening of these military units led
to increase in female enrolment in the military units though they were still insignificant
compared to the males. The table below shows the figures as at 2007.
Gender data as at 2007
Navy Army Air force Marine Corp Total
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Male 239,694 85% 374,984 87% 210,777 89% 156,173 94% 981,628 88%
Female 41,144 15% 58,117 13% 25,595 11% 10,568 6% 153,424 12%
Total 280,838 433,101 236,372 166,741 1,117,052
The policy of the Department of Defense in its latest version states all the service
members possess the eligibility of getting any military position provided they qualify with
exclusion of women from all units that are under the brigade level. This is the level that is
responsible for taking part in combat on the ground directly. The policy goes on to give the
definition of direct combat as the process where an enemy is engaged on the ground with the
individuals or the entire crew equipped with weapons , where as they get subjected to hostile fire
and likelihood of facing direct contact with enemies (Argyrous, 2009).
Women soldiers are not allowed to serve in Special Forces, Artillery, Infantry, and
Armor. Nevertheless, they cannot serve in any other support units that relates to these ground
combats. The primary reasons behind exclusion of women from playing any role in combat were
that they did not have physical strength as men to tackle combat on the ground effectively. Also,
women were said to be lacking aggressive emotions for effective fighting. Lastly, there were
claims that units that were mixed in terms of gender hindered the bonding among male necessary
in combat units (Caw & Paul, 2009).
Israel
Israel being one of the worlds nations with the strongest military never allowed women
in the combat units just as it was in the U.S. However, this changed in 2006 when the military
positions amounting to 88% were opened to women. Of this, women were given fourteen combat
positions. This was an equivalent of 2.5% of the women. Unlike the U.S, there was a bit larger
number of females serving in the combat units (Kingdon, 1995).
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The statistical analysis of Israels female enrolment in combat units as at 2009 is summarized
below.
Gender data as at September 2009
UNITS OPEN TO WOMEN PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN IN UNIT
Light infantry 68%
NBC 16%
Anti-aircraft 16%
Rescue and saving NOC 19%
Shallow water diving 24%
Dog handling 16%
Artillery 17%
Pilots 23%
Border patrol 10%

Unlike the U.S, majority of combat positions in Israel are closed to women. However,
those that are opened are not termed as being closed combat roles. Such positions include, border
patrol artillery, light infantry anti-aircraft rescue and pilots. Majority of women serve in combat
positions with a conscription of two years. In the process, they undergo teachings pertaining
social welfare and other functions that support combat women. Women serving in Israeli
Defense Force (IDF) are 33% compared to 67% of men. The low figure is attributed to the fact
that women are given a shorter term of service (2 years) than men (3 years).
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Another similarity that prevails in the U.S combat women and those of Israel is that women
serving in combat roles do so voluntarily. They also receive equal treatment as their male
counterparts receive. However, most of these women in combat are found in Border Patrol and
Caracal regiment though there has been an integration of women combatants in IDF.
France
Unlike the United States, France had an earlier provision for the employment of women
in very close combat roles. 19% of military personnel in France were women in 2006. The
combat infantry women soldiers by then consisted 1.7%. There are no limitations of service in all
combat posts for women in France except the riot control gendarmerie and the submarines.
Germany
Germany also allows women employment in close combats. Despite this freedom, the
level of enrolment of female in the German military and subsequently combat units is lower
compared to the U.S. the table below shows the distributive statistics in the navy, air force and
the army as at September 2009.
Navy Army Air force Total
Male 21,990 149,682 56,377 228,049
Female 2,157 10,174 4,162 16,687
Total 244,736

Following the opening of positions for women in German Armed Forces, the number of
women tripled its value in 2001, with the Bundeswehr being the most popular career that females
opted for. The unique factor about the combat women in Germany is that majority of them show
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interests of serving in Medical Service with a few in combat units. The same case as the U.S
combat women, the German combat women have participated in combat in war zones
specifically in Afghanistan. However, they were never involved deeply in close combat roles,
with reports showing little or no challenges in involving women in combat situations.
Canada
The Canadian government employs women in combat roles. 1.9% of women had been
employed in the combat roles in 2001. The policy of including women in Canadian Force (CF)
was a result of political pressure and legal personalities like the Canadian human rights
commission (CHRC) in 1989. There exist also stereotypes that still belief in unsuitability of
female to engage in combat roles. The Canadian population has with time gain acceptance of
involvement of women in combat roles (Fisher & Devins, 2011). The first Canadian combat
woman died while in front line combat against the Taliban. Research done in Canada indicates
that there is high possibility of women serving in supportive positions rather than operational
positions like the combat arms.
Unlike the United States, Canada has adopted an instrumental model called Human
Dimensions Operations (HDO) which assesses the impacts of stress factors on combat women.
This has allowed to the evaluation of environment under which women operate.
Denmark
In 1988, Denmark adopted the policy of total inclusion after combat trials that took place
in 1985 and 1987. Women performed exemplary as men did in combat roles. The physical
requirements for joining Denmark Armed Forces are more less the same. Women receive normal
treatment as normal soldiers with expectations of performing as per their training. Like the U.S,
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Denmark also sent their combat women to Afghanistan where they served as Combat
Commanders and other related administrative roles.

Netherlands
Women in Netherlands are given the opportunity of joining any military posts with the
exception of the Submarine and Marine Corps. Women have been exempted from the two
military categories because they are said to be lacking physical requirements and the
effectiveness in the combat. Though women are given this opportunity to serve in combat units,
there are still a few who are employed in combat units. About 13% of women soldiers in
Netherlands serve in the combat units. Those in the Air Force and the Navy are 21% and 33%
respectively (Bork, 2003).
In 1990s the ban that restricted women from flying in combat and war ships was lifted by
the congress. This was aimed promoting equality of all by quelling claims raised by the women
representatives who claimed that the act deprived them their constitutional rights by restoring the
womens right to protection as stated in the U.S law. Such changes have given women soldiers a
chance to participate in a variety of roles and responsibilities in the military, thus enhancing
increased combat experience compared to the past when there existed combat exclusions that
were never fair in any way to the women (Skaine &Rosemarie, 2011).
The lift of bans was done in a timely manner so as to give an opportunity for women
soldiers to exhibit their long term experience, expertise and prowess in the war just as it is done
by their male counterparts. As articulated in the liberal agenda, the Obama administrations
decisions fits into the broad perspective. However, the military was responsible for the
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generation of forces that led to the approval of the lift of ban by the congress and not president
Obama as thought by many people.
The decision was agreed upon anonymously by the General Chiefs of Staff with undue
pressure from the court which pressed for the removal of gender-based barriers within the
military, every of the divisions of the military require to facilitate full implementation of the
policy within six months. As per the militarys General Chief, initiatives of such kind are only
performed after a thorough inspection of the potential effects on the were that is going on in
Afghanistan and Iraq. This is very important as a way of avoiding the cases of sacrificial of the
military trust and that of the entire citizens.
The lifting of the ban by Obama administration was also aimed at creating a good number
of leadership positions in military just like in Denmark where there exists a policy of total
inclusion that explores the potentiality of women fighting in front lines. However, the creation
of such positions was not immediately filled due to the fact that there were legal procedures that
ought to be followed to the latter as per the U.S. .
The existence of the American service women in combats posts in Iraq and Afghanistan
was as a result of the need for their help as special personnel either as the intelligence personnel
or as medics who were responsible for provision the necessary medical attention to the casualties
of the war. For this reason, the women militants would be seen patrolling in helicopters while
they monitor all the activities in the warfronts. In some cases, the war may expose women
soldiers to certain dangers especially where the battlefield lines are not clear, hence making the
insurgents hide around the areas.
Problems
Implementation of policy may be difficult due to the problems below;
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The infantry course that the female soldiers had to undergo according to the U.S policies is very
difficult for majority of them. In fact, in France, women are allowed to serve in combat infantry
but they opt not to take up the position because they are not willing and able to go through the
process. The justification to this fact is seen when the Marine Corps tried to take a number of
women through the infantry training course in the year 2012, but two women only were willing
to joint but unfortunately they were not able to finish the course.
A very high number of female are not in a position of accepting to take up the rather
rigorous infantry and commando positions in the positions of the military. The exercise given at
the infantry course is quite observed with a lot of strictness and is more of physical exercises
thus making majority of women fail in the course.
It is difficult to convince that the lift on ban will open opportunities instantly for those
women who serve under the delta positions as well as those who serve at the combat positions in
the military. Also, the American peoples opinions never wanted the large number of women
who engaged in dangerous combat positions in the military.
According to the American Department of defense, there was no existence of leadership
positions for any service women within the force. Compared to Germany ,the combat units were
fully opened to women raising the number of women more than three times it was in 2001.The
reward for the service women was therefore under a big blow. For the next subsequent years that
followed. For instance, an Air National Guard helicopter pilot was denied the combat leadership
position even after sustaining deadly injuries in the war, with the claim that the department did
not acknowledge the existence of leadership positions for women. The General Chief of Staff has
a provision by the law of stated in the U.S constitution to lift a ban as part of the regulatory
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decision on giving a notification about the ban in 30 days before implementing the ban
(Kingdon, 1995).
Some decision was criticized by other people arguing that the human hygiene would be
compromised when women are allowed to serve in combat positions due to the fact that the
living conditions did not provide privacy for personal hygiene. In the public polls that were
conducted, the results showed that the Americans supported the lifting of the ban. However,
among the people who were interviewed, three quarter of them supported the idea of granting the
women permission of serving in the combat military. In support for the ban, the policy makers
argued that the Joint Chiefs of The staff had very significant influence when they allowed
women serve with equality as their male counterparts.
The rising number of female casualties in America is raising a concern which even puts
more fear and tension on women who would have the intention and will of joining the military.
For example, women causalities in the recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq stand at 2%, which is
a representation of the total number of casualties. The figure was obtained from the twelve
percent of women which constituted the total population of those soldiers who took part in the
warzone. However, not U.S only loses her combat women in wars. Canada lost her female
soldier, (forward artillery scout), in 2006 while in combat with the forces of Taliban.
Solutions
In order to ensure a smooth transition, the following guiding principles ought to establish.
A setting of a process that ensures that all the male and the female military persons who are in
the service of the American military are subjected to equal chances and opportunities in their
professional development.
By making sure that the Army is totally committed to sustenance and readiness to defend
the state against any inform of attack while fighting with the Americas force standards. There is
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need to allow more time for female soldiers to rise to military ranks just as in Israel where
women must take part in military service due to their outstanding shooting skills, discipline and
motivation. When such changeover is implemented successfully, the men and women in the
military, who show military prowess in service, will stand like chances management position
(Caw & Paul, 2009).
Two methodologies can be used to assess the benefits of lifting the ban. These are;
The Ideology and Ethics and the Practical and Logistical concern approaches. Both ideologies
assume the basic concept that men and women have equal chances as well as capabilities. The
basis of this assumption regards a ban on women as sexists discrimination and such
discrimination has no space in the American ideals and laws (Kingdon, 1995).
Upon a successful implementation of the policy, all the military men and women should
be granted equal opportunity in defense of the Nation as stated in the American constitution.
Thus this is the main benefit of the process. However, female soldiers would consider seeking
for additional promotions where they qualify. The security on the other hand will eventually
benefit as the ban would facilitate buildup of small combat teams and leadership that is more
effective. Also benefiting from the ban are the female Cadets in the Hopkins ROTC program, a
group which had been denied for a long time the opportunity to pursue careers of his choice. The
ability of the forces will also benefit in its efforts in prevention of criminal related activities
(Kingdon, 1995).
The combat should be open to women. This will however translate into the amendment of
the existing laws by the congress. Similar challenges have been encountered by countries like
Canada, Britain and Israel. Women served in combat roles in Israel and Canada for a long period
of time amid their insignificance in terms of numbers (Skaine &Rosemarie, 2011). Britain on
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the other side resolved that they would not change the rules excluding women service in infantry
and combat positions in the year 2010.the plans for implementation and decisions under must
seek the approval of the defense secretary and subsequent notification of the congress as required
by the American constitution. The plan for implementation must show clearly if the newly
created jobs would open up for fair completion between the male and female service men, or
some combat jobs would be reserved exclusively for the male service members. Looking closely
to those who support and oppose the ban in this policy reveals that the people with greater say
are those who support the policy. An example of such case is of a marine captain named Anu
Bhagwati, who resigned in 2004 as a result of the combat exclusion policy. Anu further indicated
that there was also great number of females whose professional ambitions were shuttered by the
policy. It is important that any policy should increase the effectiveness and efficiency through
the introduction of programs that can adequately respond to the political ambitions if such policy
was to receive value in the public domain (Baumgartner & Jones, 1993).
A pilot trial should be carried out like was done during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
Women who were then in service during the war were allowed to conduct searches from house to
house. According to the pentagon, the trial was aimed at testing the performance of women in
those positions before the positions were opened up for them. The policy seemed to be getting
tremendous support from the White House, the congress as well as from those agencies that
advocated for equality and human rights. However, there were critics who claimed that the
policy was not more of physical competence but also the logistical difficulties that come with the
amendment of the law to suit the laws at present (Nakamura, 1987).
The process of implementing the policy is also face with challenges. An example of this
is the situation where all women soldiers are charged with the same responsibilities and the
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standards that are required of their male counterparts whenever a woman is allowed to take part
in the combat frontline positions. The implementation policy also requires the public managers to
be in position of having the necessary skills and innovative techniques with a mindset focused
approach of accomplishing the intended mission.


Conclusion
In summary, Deborah Stones approach gives a simplified means of analyzing arguments
in a political setting and systems that could have been otherwise problematic to analyze the
arguments.
From the study, it is evident that a policy can only be implemented by the administration
successfully only if there are strategies in place that that quid the implementation process.
However, the strategy must be flexible and cost effective and also recognizable by the authority.
To boost the success of a successful implementation of a strategy, there must be the legitimacy
as well as the sustainability of political grounds. The actions taken by Obama administration to
lift the ban on the prohibition of women in the combat opened up more chances and
opportunities for the in the military field as seen in the ban that was lifted in the year 1994 which
never meant that women completely stopped from serving in the frontlines at wars (Caw & Paul,
2009). However, the lifting of such bans does not in any way allow women soldiers to advance
in their ranks and positions of leadership because the full implementation of will take its full
course in 2016. In general perspective, the policy when implemented fully will have more
benefits to women because the policy will allow them to seek top positions in management and
thus deliver their service as their male counterparts do. With this policy, it is projected that the
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American Army will then develop into a stronger army hence boosting the fight against terrorists
and external threats.

Recommendations
After the research study, the following are recommendations that assist in implementation
of the policy.
First, the Obama administration should consider taking into considerations the political and
legitimate sustainability of lifting of the ban. It should also consider the effects on the operations
of the government with the aim of creating value to the general public.
Consideration of the above issue would lead to the women serving in the combat roles
can be viewed from the three points of views of the triangle. The inclusion of women in the
combat roles is further given an upper hand by the fact that each country recognizes the necessity
of the providing adequate security to its citizens, a fact that can be achieved by engaging women
and men in the military.

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