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Back to To the Point

To the Point

Should Women Soldiers Be Assigned to Combat?

During the Iraq war, an Army medic ran through gunfire to rescue wounded comrades, earning a Silver Star. But one rescued man said she should never even have been there. The medic was a woman, even though women are never assigned to combat.

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By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

During the Iraq war, an Army medic ran through gunfire to rescue wounded comrades, earning a Silver Star. But one rescued man said she should never even have been there. The medic was a woman, even though women are never assigned to combat. They're getting closer and closer, and there's a budding movement to make them eligible for all things men do, if they can meet the qualifying standards. But that's hugely controversial. Is it just about equality under the law? Is it a cultural issue, deeply ingrained despite the guarantees of the Constitution?

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    Warren Olney

    former KCRW broadcaster

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    Caitlin Shamberg

    KCRW

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    Lata Pandya

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    Sonya Geis

    Senior Managing Editor

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    Anne Coughlin

    University of Virginia School of Law

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    Anna Mulrine

    Christian Science Monitor

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    Council on Foreign Relations

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