One problem with insurgent wars – like that we waged in Iraq, and are currently fighting in Afghanistan – is that there are no front lines. Without sharply-defined FEBAs – Forward Edge of the Battle Area – or FLOTs – Front Line of Own Troops — how do you keep women out of combat?
Bottom line: you can’t. That’s why the Pentagon is slated to announce later Thursday that women will soon be permitted in some support jobs – intel, logistics and communications billets among them – in 800-strong combat battalions. Previously, they had been allowed in such slots only at the 4,000-strong brigade level, supposedly further away from combat. Key combat roles in infantry and armor units will continue to be limited to men.