Pentagon clears the way for women in combat

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Published: 1/24 11:07 am

Updated: 1/24 6:21 pm

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is clearing the way for women to apply for combat specialties and units. The move will create about 200,000 jobs for women. Most of those jobs are in the Army and the Marines.

The Navy recently opened submarine opportunities to women. The first female officers joined their sub crews a few months ago.

Each branch of the military will have time to assess each job to see if it's feasible and how quickly women can be integrated.

A senior defense official says some positions, like special operations forces and some infantry units can ask for exemptions to the rule.

Women could be in all service units by the end of 2015.

combat, women, military

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The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of Action News Jacksonville

Realchange - 1/24/2013 5:12 PM

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To clairfy about pregnancy if you take 8 mos pregnancy leave then that time should not count on your service time as your not serving at full capacity and it is not an injury sustained in combat or during performance of your job.

Realchange - 1/24/2013 5:11 PM

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At least they are requiring women in combat units to have the same physical requirements as the men. Women will soon have to register for the draft. The only other discrimination left would be women can still get pregnant to avoid combat duty or rotation to a non desired location or unit. Most them would not do that but some do seen it first hand in the military. Pregnancy leave in the miltary should not count to your time grade or service for discharge to prevent that.

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