Philia, the bond among disparate individuals who have nothing in common but facing death and misery together, is the source of the unit cohesion that all research has shown to be critical to battlefield success. Such loyalty to the group is the essence of fighting morale. The commander who can preserve and strengthen it knows that all other physical and psychological factors are little in comparison. The feeling of loyalty, it is clear, is the result not the cause of comradeship. Comrades are loyal to each other spontaneously and without any need for reasons.
Unit cohesion is a critical means of countering the natural friction generated by combat.
But the presence of women in non-traditional roles has undermined unit cohesion in three ways. The major source of the increased friction generated by women in combat units is traceable to the reality of bodies. Socrates treats this issue in Book V of The Republic . She cannot urinate standing up. These differences have had an adverse impact on the US military at a time when continuing austerity in the US defense budget is driving us toward a smaller and leaner force, one that will have to meet its obligations by increased emphasis on competence and readiness.