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Pentagon ends ban on women in front-line combat Pentagon ends ban on women in front-line combat
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US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta has lifted the military's ban on women serving in combat roles, potentially opening hundreds of thousands of frontline positions to women.US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta has lifted the military's ban on women serving in combat roles, potentially opening hundreds of thousands of frontline positions to women.
The ruling, officially announced on Thursday, overturns a 1994 rule barring women from small ground-combat units.The ruling, officially announced on Thursday, overturns a 1994 rule barring women from small ground-combat units.
But the military would have until 2016 to argue for any specific posts they think should remain closed to women.But the military would have until 2016 to argue for any specific posts they think should remain closed to women.
President Barack Obama fully backs the move, his spokesman said.President Barack Obama fully backs the move, his spokesman said.
At a Pentagon ceremony remembering civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr, outgoing Defence Secretary Leon Panetta said every member of the US military should have the opportunity to pursue "every avenue of military service for which they are prepared and qualified".At a Pentagon ceremony remembering civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr, outgoing Defence Secretary Leon Panetta said every member of the US military should have the opportunity to pursue "every avenue of military service for which they are prepared and qualified".
He also acknowledged a complaint frequently voiced by women denied combat roles - that military careers are hindered by a lack of combat experience.He also acknowledged a complaint frequently voiced by women denied combat roles - that military careers are hindered by a lack of combat experience.
"Our military is more capable, and our force is more powerful, when we use all of the great diverse strengths of the American people," Mr Panetta said."Our military is more capable, and our force is more powerful, when we use all of the great diverse strengths of the American people," Mr Panetta said.
At the White House on Thursday, spokesman Jay Carney said the president was "very pleased" with the new policy. He noted the proposal had emerged from military commanders - not politicians.At the White House on Thursday, spokesman Jay Carney said the president was "very pleased" with the new policy. He noted the proposal had emerged from military commanders - not politicians.
'21st-Century reality'
Military chiefs will be asked to report back to Mr Panetta by 15 May on their initial plans to implement the new policy.Military chiefs will be asked to report back to Mr Panetta by 15 May on their initial plans to implement the new policy.
Some jobs are expected to be opened to women this year, while others - including for special forces such as the Navy Seals and the Delta Force - could take longer.Some jobs are expected to be opened to women this year, while others - including for special forces such as the Navy Seals and the Delta Force - could take longer.
This decision could open more than 230,000 combat roles to women, many in infantry units.This decision could open more than 230,000 combat roles to women, many in infantry units.
Numerous officials have said the change reflected the current reality that 21st Century warfare is no longer fought in trenches along clearly demarcated lines.Numerous officials have said the change reflected the current reality that 21st Century warfare is no longer fought in trenches along clearly demarcated lines.
"It's not about whether or not we're allowing women into combat - women are in combat - it's about recognising their service," Maj Mary Jennings Hegar, who served on three tours of Afghanistan with the US Air Force, told the BBC's Newsday programme. One of the most high-profile female combat veterans in America is US Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat who lost her legs when the Army helicopter she was piloting in Iraq was shot down.
"I understand that stereotypically there are some physical differences but... there are a lot of men doing these jobs who are not built like Goliath. It's unfortunate that we have to hold women to a higher standard. On Thursday, she quipped on NBC's Today show: "I didn't lose my legs in a bar fight. I'm pretty sure I was in combat."
"If you're able to meet the standards, then your gender should not hold you back. It's simple black and white discrimination." But Elaine Donnelly, from the US Center for Military Readiness, told Newsday that the move was "most unfortunate".
'Enormous complications'
But Elaine Donnelly, from the US Centre for Military Readiness, told Newsday that the move was "most unfortunate".
"It's certainly not going to be helpful to our women in the military, or our men. It will cause enormous complications in the infantry battalions - the small tip-of-the-spear units, the ones that fight the enemy with deliberate offensive action under fire. These units are all-male for very good reasons."It's certainly not going to be helpful to our women in the military, or our men. It will cause enormous complications in the infantry battalions - the small tip-of-the-spear units, the ones that fight the enemy with deliberate offensive action under fire. These units are all-male for very good reasons.
"Thirty years of studies, reports and actual experience... have shown that in direct ground combat units - the infantry - women do not have an equal opportunity to survive or to help fellow soldiers to survive. The physical aspects of it are only part of the reason.""Thirty years of studies, reports and actual experience... have shown that in direct ground combat units - the infantry - women do not have an equal opportunity to survive or to help fellow soldiers to survive. The physical aspects of it are only part of the reason."
Restrictions were first eased a year ago, when the Pentagon opened up 14,500 roles, closer to the front line, which had previously been off limits to female personnel.Restrictions were first eased a year ago, when the Pentagon opened up 14,500 roles, closer to the front line, which had previously been off limits to female personnel.
In November, a group of four women in the military sued the defence department over the ban, arguing that it was unconstitutional.In November, a group of four women in the military sued the defence department over the ban, arguing that it was unconstitutional.
One of the plaintiffs, Marine Corps Capt Zoe Bedell, said existing rules had blocked her advancement in the Marines.One of the plaintiffs, Marine Corps Capt Zoe Bedell, said existing rules had blocked her advancement in the Marines.
During the Iraq and Afghan wars, US female military personnel have worked as medics, military police and intelligence officers, sometimes attached but not formally assigned to front-line units.During the Iraq and Afghan wars, US female military personnel have worked as medics, military police and intelligence officers, sometimes attached but not formally assigned to front-line units.
As of 2012, more than 800 women were wounded in those wars, and at least 130 have died.As of 2012, more than 800 women were wounded in those wars, and at least 130 have died.
Women comprise 14% of America's 1.4 million active military personnel.Women comprise 14% of America's 1.4 million active military personnel.