Research: Women in the Military/Exclusion from combat

[cloudchaser66]

I am a junior currently attending Gowanda High School. I have been assigned a research paper and have chosen Women in the Military as my topic. I was curious about the topic and extremely passionate. I am seeking statistical information, links to good sites, personal experiences, or general information about women, military, and exclusion from combat. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[webadmin]

One small correction on your topic, women are not excluded from combat. Women are excluded from serving in direct ground combat units. The rule and definition were incorporated into the Defense Authorization Act of FY '94 and further incorporated into P.L. 103-160. With the rescinding of the "risk rule" (which also did not exclude women from combat, but only from serving on the front lines) Secretary Aspin announced in a memorandum on 13 Jan 1994 along with the recision the new direct ground combat rule and definition. With the instatement of the new rule and definition, on 29 July 94, Secreatary of Defense Perry announced the opening of additional jobs to women as a result of the rescintion of the "risk rule" that was to go into effect on 1 Oct 1994.

The following is the rule and definition:

A. RULE: Service members are eligible to abe assigned to all positions for which thy are qualified, except that women shall be excluded from assignment to units below the brigade level whose primary mission is to engage in direct combat on the ground as defined below.

B. DEFINITION: Direct gorund combat is engaging an enemy on the ground with individual or crew served weapons, while being exposed to hostile fire and to a gigh probebility of direct physical contact with the hostile force's personnel. Direct gorund combat takes place well forward on the battlefield while locating and closing with the enemy to defeat them by fire, maneuver, or shock effect.

There is a difference from being excluded from combat and being excluded from direct ground combat units. I hope this information clears that up for you.