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Combat knows no gender

Sun., Jan. 30, 2011

I’d like to comment real quick on the front page headline on Saturday, Jan. 15: “Panel: Let women in battle.”

Who said we weren’t in battle? Is there a front line? I don’t think the Taliban or al-Qaida has defined to us the front line, and where they will place their IEDs and RPGs?

We may not be in the infantry, but out here, there is no front line, and no one here argues whether you are in combat. We fight a dirty war, and we fight it side by side.

As an Army broadcaster, I attach onto combat units and film. I shoot with my HDX400; my M16 is still slung on my back. I don’t need Congress to tell me I am in combat.

Sgt. Sarah Snedden, U.S. Army

Baghdad

Editor’s note: The writer, who is from Sandpoint, is currently deployed in Iraq.

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