Defence Forces Review 2010

Abstracts – 65 Senior Command and Staff CourseUS Army Women on the Front Line: A Critical Look at theCombat Exclusion RuleMaj Frances E. Widdicombe. BS, Mgmt / Fin (USA)ABSTRACTThe purpose of this case study was to question whether/if the Combat Exclusion Rule isstill valid in the 21st Century. Proof is offered to demonstrate that even though the CombatExclusion Rule is a U. S. Government law it is being circumvented, not out of the U.S. Army’sblatant disregard for the rule, but out of necessity. Thorough reviews and analysis of awarddocuments and other official papers and reports published by the U.S. Army and other U.S.Government organizations were conducted. A ten year time frame was established for theaward selections to illustrate the missions women have been performing in combat roles since1999. Policy reviews and testimonies before Congress were used to demonstrate “Women inCombat” is a prominent topic of discussion and an area needing serious attention among seniorleadership in the Department of Defense and in Washington D.C. Comparisons were usedto identify repeating themes and arguments between the U.S. Government, the Departmentof Defense, the U.S. Army, and the media about women and their current roles in combat.Findings demonstrate that the culture of the Army has changed and women are fully integratedand treated as equals in most every aspect of Army life; they can now perform 90 per cent ofall occupational specialties available. Data confirms that currently in Iraq and Afghanistanwomen are integrated and utilized in combat units where they are frequently engaging indirect combat. Lastly, evidence establishes the Combat Exclusion Rule is outdated and shouldbe aligned with the current U.S. Army organization and the roles of women soldiers as theyfight in combat with their brothers at arms.129