Women in Combat: When the Best Man for the Job is a Woman

摘要

Women in the United States military are prohibited by federal law from holdingcombat positions in the Air Force and the Navy and by departmental regulations from holding such positions in the Army. Despite the fact that the statutes are of questionable constitutionality, their legality has not been determined by the United States Supreme Court. While a variety of arguments have been advanced to continue this discrimination, none are valid. Nevertheless, it is unlikely that Congress will act to alter the statutes in question without affirmative action by the Department of Defense. Steps should be taken immediately to open all military positions to women.