A new Pentagon policy will open 14,000 — mostly Army — combat-related jobs to women, but only after Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno pushed the Army to go further.
Critics call the new policy a “baby step” that merely aligns policy with reality without significantly advancing equality within the ranks.
The new rule was announced Feb. 9 and will likely take effect this spring. It will open up about an additional 3 percent of Army jobs to women, but about 30 percent of Army jobs will remain restricted to men.
Women make up about 15 percent of the active-duty force.
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta “believes this is the beginning, not the end of the process,” said Pentagon spokesman George Little.
“The services will continue to review positions and requirements to determine what additional positions may be opened to women,” Little said. “While practical barriers do still exist to removing other restrictions on women serving, we are reviewing those to see if more opportunities can be opened. We need time, experience and careful review to ensure that we do so in a way that maximizes the safety and privacy of all service members.”
via DoD to open 14,000 Army jobs to women – Army News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq – Army Times.
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