US Army's First Female Officers To Enter Ground Combat

The US Army has approved its first female officers for ground combat missions following new rules that allow all military combat positions to women.

22 women will be able to enter the armor branch or infantry branch after completing the remaining training in specialty schools.

“The women must complete the remaining training and plysical requirements before they can qualify as combat officers,” the US army said in a statement Friday.

US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter announced in December last year that the military would open all occupations to women this year.

He said that decisions about tasks and jobs throughout the armed forces will be made on ability not gender, and that equal opportunity will not necessarily mean equal participation. Carter said physical abilities will be taken into account for certain jobs and that international realities will also have to be considered regarding certain missions.