Women in combat brings mixed reviews

APPLETON - Former military members in Northeast Wisconsin have mixed reviews of the decision to lift the ban on women serving in combat.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta made the official announcement Thursday.

"I think it was a personal goal. I love this country, I love America and serving the military just seemed to be the right thing to do," said Veteran Laurel Weyenberg of Appleton.

Panetta's announcement came a few years too late for Weyenberg. The former Sgt. Major served 36 years in Army Reserves, retiring just last year.

Although she spent her career stateside, that doesn't mean she wasn't ready take the job on the front lines.
"Oh yea, in a heartbeat," Weyenberg said. "I think it's, you do all this training and you say, I got to go. Why can't I go? But it never came around to that for me. There are a lot of men that shouldn't be in combat and there are a lot of women that should be."

Weyenberg says this is a big step forward. Panetta's announcement opens up 230,000 battlefront posts, many in Army and Marine infantry units.

"I think the question needs to be asked, why are we doing this? Is it the purpose of making more women generals or is it the purpose of having a better military?" said retired Army Colonel Tim Lawrie.

Vietnam veteran Tim Lawrie questions the move. We spoke with the Baileys Harbor resident when the news first broke.

He feels it's a socially based decision.

"We need to stop using the military as a political arm it needs to be used as how can we best protect us as citizens of the United States," Lawrie said.

The changes won't happen overnight: Plans still need to be developed.

However, Weyenberg says she's ready to see the women she's mentored make the transition.

"I look forward to going to all their promotions. I think it'll be really fun to actually see that they made it and they're doing their thing," Weyenberg explained.