Should women be "allowed" to serve in combat? The very question is both absurd and insulting.

It's absurd, of course, to exclude the majority of one's citizens from contributing to our defense. Every social institution, the military not least among them, has inevitably benefited from the presence and contributions of women.

The question is insulting because of what it implies. Service to their country, in combat or any other capacity, isn't some "favor" to be granted to women by those who see themselves as the anointed masters of their fate.

Choosing to serve is a right. As citizens, women have a right to serve this country in any way they can, the combat arms not least among the choices.

Some would argue, of course, that women simply "can't" serve in some combat units because they can't meet the physical requirements necessary to carry their share of the load.

They are correct. Some women can't. Some men can't meet those requirements either.

Those who can, male or female, should be able to serve; those who can't should be able to serve where they can; and those who set the requirements for service should be realistic about them.

All other arguments against women's service in combat units have been disproved by ancient history and contemporary experience.

All the arguments about women's courage, smarts; leadership ability; mastery of the weaponry; unit cohesion; pregnancy; toilet facilities; fraternization; and monthly periods of irrational behavior have all been shown to be absurd.

Women have served within and sometimes despite the rules, in every American war, sometimes resorting to disguise to do so. They have been killed, wounded, and worse. They have been awarded every medal for valor.

Denying them their right to serve is simply wrong.

That said, there is, however, one theatre of action and one particularly vicious enemy against which no American woman in uniform should be fighting.

In that theatre they are being killed and wounded at twice the rate of loss (or more) than their male counterparts. Those inflicting the casualties are their own officers and fellow soldiers.

The weapon of choice: sexual assault.

The damage: physical and mental harm to the victims; dishonor to the institutions and officers that allow and empower it.

The solution: zero tolerance for perpetrators and those who empower them.