Dear Editor-

In regard to women in military roles, you report that the U.S. Navy "places about 12% of its jobs off-limits, many of them aboard submarines" but a ready solution to that equity problem would be to commission the requisite number of all-female U.S. submarines (Politics & The Nation Pentagon to ease ban on women in some combat roles February 10). I believe that the record will show that given the tools and the training that women consistently demonstrate themselves the equal of men, if not frequently their superior.

And if the role of our military in combat is truly for defense, and not just that euphemistic label we use to cloak our seemingly endless wars of U.S. self-interest, then let our real enemies beware. Because nothing in this world is more to be feared and respected than a mother who is fighting in defense of a child, especially her own.