Wow, this is a huge change....I wonder why this now and what brought it about? Would Panetta or any other critter in Washington want their wives or daughters on the frontline getting torn to shreds?
Regardless, this is quite controversial to say the least, and "strange timing".
Added:Panetta opens combat roles to women
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.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013...oles-to-women/
Now why would they do this? and why now? Sounds like they want the world to know our Military just increased their frontline capability.....This decision could open more than 230,000 jobs, many in Army and Marine infantry units, to women.
I really don't believe this has anything to do with "equal rights for women".....seems a bit more sinister to me.