Some big news for women in the US military

First, LTG Janet Wolfenbarger is set to be the USAF’s first female four star general. She will be the second female four star general in the whole of the armed services (the Army’s Gen. Ann Dunwoody was the first).

Second, the Pentagon plans to release a report today easing women’s combat restrictions. The change, which will ostensibly take place this summer, opens up 14,000 new non-infantry jobs for women on the “front lines.” Women will still be barred from infantry, armor and special forces service, but will be allowed on the front lines in roles like tank mechanic, radio operator, intel analyst and medic, among others. This is at least a step in the right direction. More blogging to come when the report is publicly released. 

(via thepoliticalnotebook :: photo — female Marines patrolling Marja — by Lynsey Addario for the NYT)