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Accession Number:
ADA561805
Title:
Women Combat Exclusion Policy: Relevant or Obsolete?
Descriptive Note:
Strategy research project
Corporate Author:
ARMY WAR COLL CARLISLE BARRACKS PA
Report Date:
2012-03-22
Pagination or Media Count:
30.0
Abstract:
Combat is a core element of the profession of arms and the military has the right to expect servicemembers to engage in combat. For the past ten years in Iraq and Afghanistan, women have participated in combat in both direct combat situations or in supportive combat roles. Yet U.S. servicewomen are still precluded from serving in certain specialties, positions, and units based solely upon their gender. This SRP reviews the history of women in the U.S. military and the evolution of womens roles and increased duty responsibilities in our military in the context of the current combat exclusion policy. It then describes the current 21st century security environment that recognizes no front lines and the fluidity of the current battlefield. It documents servicewomens contributions to the current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, especially in the global counterinsurgency strategies. Finally, this SRP recommends that the Department of Defense rescind all laws, policies, and regulations that restrict and prohibit the assignment of women to any unit below brigade level when the units primary mission is direct combat on the ground. Our military should fully employ all of its human resources, regardless of gender, in fighting our nations wars.
Distribution Statement:
APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
