Another Gender Barrier Is about to Come Down

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta made a historic announcement today when he lifted the ban on women in combat, at the request of a unanimous Joint Chiefs of Staff. In fact, the nature of modern warfare already puts women in combat, where they've earned purple hearts and medals of honor, been wounded and died. But opponents are adamant, based on physical strength, sexual distraction and traditions of male camaraderie as old as the practice of warfare itself. We hear the arguments of both sides as the Pentagon prepares to implement a historic change.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta hands Army Lt. Col. Tamatha Patterson

his signed document lifting the Defense Department's ban on women

in direct ground combat roles.

DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo