Pentagon Eases Restrictions on Women Serving in the Military
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Jupiterimages/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — America’s fighting women are getting closer to the front lines.
The Pentagon announced rule changes Thursday regarding the roles of women in the military that must first be approved by Congress before taking effect as soon as this summer.
Basically, nearly 14,000 combat support positions will be available to female service members that will put them near the front lines although they still won’t be allowed to join infantry combat units.
Once only reserved for men because the jobs were at the combat brigade level, the new positions will now be available at the lower battalion level and include communications, intelligence and logistical jobs.
Most of the women affected by the changes are enlisted in the Army, which deploys the greatest number of ground combat units.
Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio