LAS VEGAS -- The Pentagon removed the ban Thursday on women serving in combat roles. This opens the door for thousands of women to play a greater role in the military.
A few Las Vegas veterans at the oldest and largest VFW in Nevada shared their different views on the issue.
"It's going to be a major overhaul for all branches because of the training concepts," said Jon Fennych, post commander of VFW 10047.
The Army veteran fought in Vietnam as an operations sergeant. He believes there are some combat roles most women can't handle.
"For example, when you're a sniper. You lay in desert, actually lay there, and don't move for weeks on weeks. Can a female soldier handle that? I think Mother Nature's going to take over," Fennych said.
U.S. Air Force veteran Pat Adair sees it differently. She supports the decision to allow woman on the front lines.
"I feel that a woman can handle it because women are pretty tough, despite what people think," Adair said.
She calibrated weapons for front line soldiers in the Air Force. She understands the double standards.
"The fuss, I think is due to people's resistant to change because I can remember when I first came in, I was in a what's called a non-traditional career field for women," Adair said.
She says it's time for women to get the credit their deserve.
"If you look back throughout the history, there have been women that have been exposed to combat conditions forever basically."
