Back in 2005, when Elisa Smithers was deployed to Iraq, there was a ban on women serving in ground combat operations. Smithers, a member of the National Guard, worked as a 'female searcher' attached to an infantry unit, assisting in searching detained Iraqi women and other tasks. However, upon her return, she found that the support offered to male combat veterans by the US Department of Veterans Affairs was not extended to her.
Fast forward to 2013, the ban on women serving in ground combat units was lifted, marking a significant milestone for gender equality in the military. By 2016, all US military combat positions were open to women, allowing them to fill approximately 220,000 roles that were previously restricted to men. These positions included infantry, armor, reconnaissance, and some special operations units. As of 2022, women make up around 17.5% of the Defense Department's active-duty force.
However, concerns have arisen following President-elect Donald Trump's selection of Pete Hegseth as his nominee for secretary of defense. Hegseth, a Fox News host and Army veteran, has been critical of efforts to integrate women into combat roles. While Hegseth, who has served in Afghanistan and Iraq, has not indicated any plans to reinstate the ban on women in combat roles if confirmed, he has previously voiced concerns about the military allegedly lowering standards to accommodate women in combat positions.
The appointment of Hegseth has sparked apprehension among advocates for gender equality in the military, who fear that the progress made in allowing women to serve in combat roles may be at risk of regression. The debate surrounding women in combat continues to be a complex and evolving issue within the military landscape.
