Yes. But my point is, why couldn't small people do things for the military other than combat? I can't help it that I'm little and never had a muscle in my life. There are plenty of rugged women who can compete in combat, though, Pismoe. If guys don't like the idea of women being integrated into combat units in the field, develop all female combat units. They would do very well.
small men are in combat all the time.
small people fit into places big people can't .
all tunnel rats are small all submariners are small etc,
the size thing is nonsense.
If you put 60 pounds of kit on my back, I would sink into the ground, and that applies to when I was draft age, as well. I was good at field hockey--fast and fearless--and yoga--flexible and focused-- but I never could climb the damned rope in gym class or do more than two chin ups. I'm 5'1" and never broke 100 pounds until I was 4 months pregnant. I shot a shotgun once and it knocked me flat on my back. If the military didn't insist on such feats of strength, yes, I could have been one mean Marine. I don't know how the submariners did it; I'm proud of them, but I'm not making excuses.