I'm actually sorely tempted to use a Trojan Horse tactic whereby guys like me publicly declare our support for women in front-line combat roles- but if and only if the units are all-female shock-infantry platoons deployed immediately to combat in Iraq or Syria or Sudan.

Their complete and utter destruction at the hands of male fighters with no hangups about committing wartime atrocities on women might just finally put paid to this ridiculous notion that women should be allowed to fight wars.

Set up an all female command structure and give them two standard training cycles to build up, at a minimum, a company sized force that WILL be deployed to a direct combat role at the end of the two cycles. If, by deployment time, they are unable to field at least a platoon, the entire experiment is automatically deemed a failure. The commanding officers will be permitted a window ahead of the start of the first cycle to drum up volunteers. If not enough volunteers are found, then females will be drafted from other MOS starting with the highest PT scores and working down until the unit is filled.

The commanding officer will also have to work up a reserve force to provide replacements should the need arise.

Don't forget to include weekly pep talks from Important Feminists (who, of course, wouldn't dare to volunteer).

Now video tape the entire thing from beginning to end. They can edit for TV if they want, but all the raw footage should be kept for public viewing.

My guess is that the marches would prove to be the biggest cause of drop outs, injuries etc.

Also, I think you're being rather optimistic that Ms. Jones would be able to make it over 2 miles with that kind of load. Putting aside that she would need help to even put the pack on, I highly doubt her back and legs would hold out that long. Rucking is an exercise all its own and involves way more muscle groups than anyone thinks.

Additionally, there is a very fine line between "this is heavy, but I can handle it" and "OMG this is really damn heavy". We're talking less than 10 pounds in my experience.

Give them a full branch of the armed forces, two years to train with the best of the best, then put them on the front lines.

Sheesh. I'm tired of hearing these harpies. Let them give it a whirl. Maybe they'll shut up. Or at least being truly scared bloodless might articulate something of gratitude into them.

I'm terrified of war, as a sane human should be. I'm no coward. But courage need not be stupid. It sure is useless coupled with envy, isn't it?