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    Back to To the Point

    To the Point

    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.

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

    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

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

    • KCRW placeholder

      Katie Cooper

      Producer, 'One year Later'

    • KCRW placeholder

      Christian Bordal

      Managing Producer, Greater LA

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Evan George

      Director of Content, News

    • KCRW placeholder

      Julian Barnes

      Wall Street Journal

    • KCRW placeholder

      Ashley Pullen

      retired military specialist

    • KCRW placeholder

      Jed Babbin

      The American Spectator

      NewsNationalPolitics
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