Obviously the thread has moved on a bit whilst I've been in work.
Yes, for those asking for confirmation I was in HM Forces, first as an infantry soldier for some 5 years, then 3 years as a Royal Military Policeman. Throughout that time I have no hesitation in saying that the best Sgt Major I had in command over me was a female and drew respect from all ranks. I mentioned the sleeping quarters at Crossmaglen, South Armagh because I stayed in them.
For those whe mention pilots etc yes, no problem with that, they are taught Escape & Evasion and how to deal with being shot down, interrogation etc.
My argument is one of teeth arms though, those at the Forward Edge of the Battle Area. Do we want and can we expect females to engage in hand to hand fighting to the death? It has happened within the living memory of most of us:
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/battle_mount_tumbledown.htm
That scenario aside, the pitfalls already mentioned (capture by Taliban, torture, rape etc all filmed for broadcast) do not bear thinking about.
There have been lots of good links provided by posters on here whereby even senior ranking females have denounced the idea.
Furthermore, when it comes down to it we are NOT created equal. A fact of life is that(generally) women will never run, cycle or jump as long or as fast as men. Fact.
It is not in their genetic make-up to out perform men physically and their presence on the front line/FEBA will become the focus of too much attention, a distraction and ultimately a liability.