While Pentagon regulations have long barred women from close-in combat, like infantry and armor units, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is announcing the beginning of the end of those rules on Thursday. Here are some photographs of Marines assigned to a female engagement team – created to interact with Afghan women — highlighting the fact that women in uniform have been bumping up those “combat exclusions” for years.
Been There, Done That: Pentagon Formally Opens Combat to Women
Paula Bronstein / Getty Images
Sargent Crystal Groves US Marine assigned to the Female Engagement Team with the 1st Battalion 8th Marines, Regimental Combat team II, stands in formation during a ceremony for the 235th birthday of the Marines on Nov. 10, 2010 at Camp Delaram in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
