US Military’s Ban on Women in most Combat Positions Challenged

The American Civil Liberties Union filed a constitutional challenge in a federal court in San Francisco to the US military's ban on women in most combat positions. The Union argued that women were still barred from more than two hundred thousand frontline roles despite recent relaxations.

Approximately, 14500 combat positions had been opened to women under the current defence secretary. The possibility of opening additional roles for women in the US military are being explored. Women have served in the United States Army since 1775. They nursed the ill and wounded, laundered and mended clothing, and cooked for the troops in camp on campaign; services that did not exist among the uniformed personnel within the Army until the 20th Century. Women are an integral part of the US Army. At present, women serve in 91 percent of all Army occupations and make up about 14 percent of the Active Army. Women continue to play a crucial role in current operations and their sacrifices in this noble effort underscore their dedication and willingness to share great sacrifices.