The Elastic Definition of Combat

Many are surprised to learn that although women have always been banned from combat, the definition of combat itself has never been solildly established. For example, during World War II the Women's Airforce Service pilots flew every type of aircraft, including combat aircraft (although not on combat missions.) Thirty-eight of them died in duty, yet they were considered civilians and noncombatants by the military, and denied all veterans' benefits. Women served on hospital ships within torpedoing range of the enemy since they were first admitted to the Navy, yet there was considerable resistance to placing them on other types of ships that ran the same risk, as that might be considered combat. Today women are still officially banned from combat, yet serve on combat ships and fly combat planes. Is it at all meaningful to call Captain Kathleen McGrath, commander of a combat ship, a noncombatant? Can we really say that women are unequipped for the horrors of combat while they daily face the risk of death by IEDs and suicide bombers, when many have been held as POWs or suffered loss of limbs or eyesight? Not that I would glorify such suffering. But when women have demonstrated a willingness and ability to risk their lives and use deadly force as fighter and bomber pilots, why should we object to them doing so as infantry?

As it stands, there are no laws against women in combat. The Department of Defense sets policy and must give 30 legislative days notice before assignment rules regarding women are changed. A brief timeline of women in the American military can be found here: http://www.womensmemorial.org/Education/timeline.html