Women continue to have a crucial role in current operations

President Barack Obama stated in a statement on lifting the ban on women in combat. In 2013, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta signed a document to lift the Defense Department's ban on women in direct ground combat roles. This historical decision overturned a 1994 Pentagon rule that restricts women from artillery, armor, infantry, and other combat roles and military occupational specialties. The Army continues to open more positions, approximately 33,000 positions in units that were previously closed off to women.

 http://www.army.mil/women/?from=hp_spotlight