Pentagon Lifts Ban on Women in Frontline Combat
More than 130 women have died in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, including First Lieutenant Roslyn L. Schulte of Ladue.
Defense Sec. Leon Panetta announced Thursday that the Pentagon would be lifting the ban on women serving in all frontline combat roles. According to The New York Times, the "decision overturns a 1994 Pentagon rule that restricts women from artillery, armor, infantry and other such combat roles, even though in reality women have frequently found themselves in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, where more than 20,000 have served. As of last year, more than 800 women had been wounded in the two wars and more than 130 had died." The Times story noted that several high profile lawsuits have increased pressure on Pentagon offiicials. Quoting from the Times: In November 2012 the American Civil Liberties Union filed a federal lawsuit challenging the …
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