Panetta Opens Combat Roles To Women

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by Your Alaska Link News Team

Story Created: Jan 23, 2013 at 11:30 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Jan 23, 2013 at 11:30 PM AKDT

 WASHINGTON (AP) - Senior defense officials say Pentagon chief Leon Panetta is removing the military's ban on women serving in combat, opening hundreds of thousands of front-line positions and potentially elite commando jobs after more than a decade at war.

The groundbreaking move recommended by the Joint Chiefs of Staff overturns a 1994 rule banning women from being assigned to smaller ground combat units.

Panetta's decision gives the military services until January 2016 to seek special exceptions if they believe any positions must remain closed to women.

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Raven33 said on Thursday, Jan 24 at 10:19 AM

I personally feel that a man's job is to protect women. I guess now they'll have to protect men. Sorry, it just doesn't feel right to me. I was taught never to hit a female. I'm not sure women really want equal treatment/responsibilities. Be careful what you ask for!

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