Pentagon Review of Women in Combat Draws Skepticism and Fears of Regression
The Pentagon is initiating a six-month review to assess the “operational effectiveness” of women in ground combat roles, a decade after restrictions were lifted. This review, prompted by a memo from Undersecretary of Defense Anthony Tata, will examine readiness, training, performance, casualties, and command climate within ground combat units. Data, including metrics on readiness and deployability, will be gathered from the Army and Marine Corps. While the review aims to ensure high standards are met, critics like Ellen Haring suggest this is an attempt to exclude women from these roles, despite previous studies indicating women’s success in ground combat.
John Q. Hosedrinker