Women in Ground Combat

Contrary to popular belief, there is no federal law which bars women from serving in ground combat positions.

Up until 1992/1993, there were provisions in federal law which prohibited women from flying aircraft engaged in combat and on Navy combat ships. However, these restrictions were lifted by Congress and President Clinton.

No statute prevents women from serving in ground combat units. Army and Marine Corps policy, however, excludes women from assignments to units that are likely to become engaged in direct combat. According to the Army definition, direct combat is “engaging an enemy with individual or crew-served weapons while being exposed to direct enemy fire, a high probability of direct physical contact with the enemy’s personnel, and a substantial risk of capture. Direct combat takes place while closing with the enemy by fire, maneuver, or shock effect in order to destroy or capture, or while repelling assault by fire, close combat or counterattack.” The army uses a Direct Combat Probability Coding System (DCPC), established in 1983, to classify every position based upon the likelihood of engaging in direct combat.

According to a study by the Women's Research & Education Institute, the following percentage of military positions (jobs) are currently open to women:

Army: 52 percent
Navy: 59 percent
Air Force: 97 percent
Marines: 20 percent

As the restrictions are not based upon law, but rather DOD/military policy, it could be changed overnight by the SecDef or the Commander-in-Chief (President).

Do you think it's time? Should the Secretary of Defense and/or the President lift the ban on women in ground combat jobs?