I really am worried about unit cohesion and the problems of mixing the genders in the pressure cooker that is a combat zone... especially under an extended timeframe.
Men just don't act the same with women around. Let me give you a very minor example of what I'm talking about. You've heard me talk about Ben. He's a former Team THREE guy, he's my fencing instructor and my friend. He and I, one on one, are outrageous with each other. We don't have language problems (both of us cuss like sailors) both of us express ourselves in sexual banter. No problem. OK so far?
Now... one of Ben's favorite expressions for people of whom he disapproves is "douchebag". He was talking to a bunch of guys, laughing and cutting up and I walked up right as he said the word "douchebag" (which he's only said in front of me privately a million times with no problem). He got embarassed. The other men got embarassed. There was a tight silence. He looked at me and lamented, "how come you always come over when I'm using the word 'douchebag'?" I busted his balls by replying, "Oh? Do you actually HAVE conversations that don't have the word douchebag in them? I had no idea." The guys got tight and embarassed because I (a woman) had overhead this. Another man walking up wouldn't have caused them a moment's pause (unless it was a collared priest of something).
That is a very silly and minor example of what I've been trying to express. This guy and I have a VERY open realtionship where we talk quite frankly and rather saltily with each other; but when thrown into a mix with other men, our interrelationship instantly (if temporarily) changed, my relationship with the other men changed, their interaction between themselves changed. It was very uncomfortable. More for them than for me actually.
And I'm not sure I want that to change. There are times when I like being 'one of the guys' (such as when I'm fencing with them on the strip). They respect my ability on the strip, but they don't invite me to go with them to the strip clubs afterward. I also know that I enjoy not having to listen to "locker room" conversations. And having talked to one of the other guys in that circle later on, he told me it was definitely 'locker room guy talk' and very 'non-PC (for lack of a better term).
I'm trying to get people to look at the realities of the interpersonal relationships between men and women. And to play to the srengths and find adequate workarounds for the weaknesses.
Single sex units with specific mission crossover takes those differences into account, negates much of the weaknesses inherent in a co-ed unit and allows the strengths of the individual female warrior to be brought into play when they are needed without compromising unit cohesion on either unit.
You know, the opposite would be the male SEAL hacked out to an all female unit because of being mission critical/skill specific. It works both ways.