Women in Combat

Member of a Female Engagement Team
(FET) in Afghanistan. Photo by DVIDS.

8% of Army Women Want Combat Arms. In 2013 the Army conducted a survey of women in the active duty, reserves, and Army National Guard ranks on their feelings toward entering the combat arms. Of the 30,000 women who responded less than 7.5% said they would want one of the infantry, armor, artillery or combat engineer jobs. Most women who would opt for the combat arms would go with aviation. Certainly flying above the fray rather than slogging along the ground with 60 pounds of rucksack, body armor, radio, medic kit, ammo, helmet, water, food, etc. is much more preferable. But, at some point in the future, women might not get a choice. They may find themselves assigned to combat units whether they like it or not. Read more in "Few Army women want combat jobs, survey finds", USA Today, February 25, 2014.

Women and Navy SEALs. The Navy is looking to recruit more women for the SEAL teams. Read "Admiral outlines push to integrate Navy SEALs, recruit women", Navy Times, January 4, 2016.

"Infantryperson". Nope. Sorry. Not as the same as "Infantryman". Not going to have anyone quivering in fear. Read more in "Marine Corps boot camp, job titles to be gender neutral by April", Marine Corps Times, January 6, 2016.

Marines Not Quite on Board. It appears that there are some high-level 'discussions' going on between the USMC and DoD on the topic of fully integrating women into combat units and in its recruit training. In addition, General John Kelly, head of U.S. Southern Command, came out with some statements that would lead you to believe he doesn't fully endorse the recent changes in regard to integrating women. Read more in "Marine Corps debate over women in combat continues to roil", Marine Corps Times, January 9, 2015.

Women in Combat. A dissenting view is provided by Jude Eden about the full integration of women into the combat arms of the military. Read "The Vast Majority of Military Women Don't Want to be Fully Integrated into the Combat Arms", The Stream, December 22, 2015.

Advice for Women Seeking the Infantry. A U.S. Army infantry officer has some advice for females seeking the thrill (and agony) of the infantry. "Now women need to seek those combat jobs", USA Today, January 9, 2016.

Army Plan to Integrate Women. The Army has submitted its plan to open its infantry, armor, and special operations ranks to women to the Defense Department. (Army Times, Jan 4, 2015).

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