I’m not a military type of guy, but I do follow politically correct trends. The military has been an incubator for every liberal cause. I’m OK with women wanting to join the military, but they should have to do everything their male counterparts have to do. If not, then it’s gender discrimination.

We’re learning that gender discrimination is now policy in the Marines:

“Females in the Marine Corps currently are not required to do even a single pull-up, and a deadline mandating that by Jan. 1, 2014, they be able to do at least 3 pull-ups as part of their training has been delayed for at least a year, the Corps quietly announced on social media.

“Unlike their female counterparts, male Marines have long been required to do at least 3 pull-ups as part of the Physical Fitness Test (PFT). That’s the minimum requirement for males.”

It looks like I qualify. I can do three pull-ups, and yet because of age discrimination, I can’t join the Marines.

Why are strength tests important? It’s not just the person who lacks a certain level of physical strength whose life is on the line in a combat situation; it’s also those who are part of the combat team. While the “Army of One” slogan seems modern and hip; it’s not accurate. Fighting a war is a team effort, like in a “Band of Brothers.” A band is more than one.

When my father was nearly blown apart by a mortar attack while serving in Korea, it took some of his fellow soldiers to get him to a MASH unit.

What would have happened if it had been me? My father weighed around 140 pounds. I weigh 220 pounds. Eighty pounds makes a big difference in lifting a body.

If women want to join the military, then good for them, but they should have to pass the same strength tests as everybody else. Some women will pass, and some will fail. The women who fail should not be in combat. Period.

When racial discrimination was lifted by President Truman, the physical test requirements for blacks were not changed.