Commentaries, Opinions, And Analysis On The Pentagon Decision To Permit Women To Serve In Combat

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, left, and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, right, sign a document lifting the ban on women in combat roles during a news conference at the Pentagon, Jan. 24, 2013. Panetta and Dempsey discussed the new directive from the Pentagon to open all military occupations to females, removing the almost 20-year ban of women serving in combat on the front lines. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo

Women in Combat: What Will it Mean? -- Paul D. Shinkman, US News & World Report

Officials, veterans describe the new era of the U.S. military.

The Pentagon's decision to overturn one of the biggest obstacles to equality in military service opens up a series of daunting questions, sure to challenge the military's ability to maintain readiness while simultaneously adding women to combat roles.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta's Thursday announcement that he was lifting the ban on women serving in combat positions was met with enthusiasm among female troops and veterans across the country. Many of the 280,000 female veterans have already been thrust into combat situations by virtue of America's ongoing wars and are relieved by what they see is the military's final acknowledgment of current reality.

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More Commentaries, Opinions, And Analysis On The Pentagon's Decision To Permit Women To Serve In Combat Roles

Here’s How the Military Will Finally Accept (Most) Women in Combat -- Spencer Ackerman, Danger Room
Ban on women in combat lifted: readers and veterans debate on social media -- The Guardian
Women, men must meet same combat standards in military -- USA Today
'She'll kick your butt': Experts say women fit to fight -- NBC
How America's top general came to endorse women in combat -- CNN
Women in combat: ‘First the gays. Now the broads.’ -- Petula Dvorak, Washington Post
Women in combat: How much will change? -- Stephanie Gaskell and Kate Brannen, Politico
Women In Combat: Shattering the “Brass Ceiling” -- Mark Thompson, Time
Women allowed in combat: Will that mean it's less safe for men? (+video) -- Anna Mulrine, Christian Science Monitor
Not so fast: Women on frontlines 'distracting,' say critics -- Erin McClam, Staff Writer, NBC News
Women in combat: A change for the better? -- Major Judy Webb, CNN
Allowing Women in Combat Serves Women, Men and Military -- Bloomberg editorial
You go, military girls -- to the front lines -- Patt Morrison, L.A. Times
The Pentagon will allow women to serve in combat zones - it's about time -- Joseph Dolman
Women in combat: Good to go if they meet standards -- Lolita C. Baldor, Kansas City/AP
Women in combat? OK, but what about the sexual assaults? -- Chloe Angyal, MSNBC
Panetta: Women in Combat Strengthens US Military -- Richard Sisk, Military.com
Will Allowing Women In Combat Roles Revolutionize Military Leadership? -- Jenna Goudreau, Forbes
Combat? Reaction Of Many Women In Military Is 'Been There, Done That' -- Mark Memmott, NPR
Women in combat? Old news for lady warriors of the big screen -- Noelene Clark, L.A. Times
Former POW Jessica Lynch: Women in combat ‘good news’ -- Washington Times
Attitudes toward women now entering combat jobs in the military (Video) -- Examiner
Women in combat: We’ve marched a long way, baby -- Gail Collins, Seattle Times
Women in combat: Why that's so yesterday -- Christian Science Monitor editorial
Facts: Women already serve in some combat-related jobs -- StlToday.com/AP
5 silliest reactions to women in combat -- The Week
Combat Roles: Women have been fighting and dying in America’s wars for years. Here are eight who were killed in action last year. -- Foreign Policy