Women in combat is long overdue

As the adjutant general of the Illinois National Guard, I would very briefly respond to the recent column by Kathleen Parker (“Women in combat and Congress’ wimps”). My informed opinion is based on over 35 years in the military serving with men and women, deployed into combat zones with women and men, as well as working with countless men and women veterans. I have yet to see a bullet or a bomb or an enemy make a distinction based upon incidental geography or gender.

To the “idea” that patriotic volunteer qualified women have more than earned the same opportunities as patriotic volunteer qualified men, I say, it is long, long, long overdue.

Brig. Gen. Daniel M. Krumrei

The Adjutant General

Illinois National Guard

Springfield