On this week’s cover, the Army is working to create common physical requirements for each military occupational specialty, so that both men and women hoping to join combat arms will have to meet the same standards. Since the Defense Secretary Leon Panetta lifted the women-in-combat ban earlier this year, there have been concerns that physical standards infantry and other positions would be watered down to accommodate women. “We’re calling it ‘Soldier 2020,’” Army Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel Lt. Gen. Howard Bromberg told us. “You’ll notice it’s ‘soldier’ for 2020. It’s not male soldier or female soldier. We’re not…
Browsing: combat
Vast majority of respondents question putting women in combat Opening the door to women in combat would be “disastrous,” say some, and it’s long overdue, say others who joined in a torrent of responses to the announcement that the Army isn’t just “brothers” in arms anymore. The Defense Department in January announced its decision to allow women to serve in direct combat roles. In more than 100 letters to Army Times, nearly 20 percent voiced unconditional support for the move. In comments from those who offered a definite opinion for or against, women were 2 to 1 against it and…
Success of women in combat will hinge on fairness, fitness The historic decision to lift the ban on women in combat roles is not the end of their battle for opportunity — it is the beginning. Now the effort shifts from granting equality to maintaining fairness as the Army executes an aggressive plan to uphold — and perhaps raise — individual standards without excluding women by default. Women have fought with distinction in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the Pentagon has, for the past year, formulated its plan to break down the barriers to allow them in direct combat roles, a…
17 issues that will shape the service this year New grooming standards, the long awaited and much anticipated new PT test, changes to the qualitative service plan and the return of 15-year retirements. Drug testing myths: knowing the facts could save your career In 2008, two Navy air traffic controllers based in Mayport, Fla., tested positive for cocaine use during military urinalysis. Turns out both had been drinking the same herbal tea made from coca leaves. Both fought the findings in separate courts-martial. One was exonerated, the other found guilty by a military jury. It just goes to…
