Inasmuch as anyone should be in combat . . .

Great news!

In a surprise move, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta removed the military ban on women in combat on Wednesday. Lifting the ban will open service on the front lines to thousands of women.

According to the Associated Press, the move was recommended by the Joint Chiefs of Staff and overturns a 1994 rule banning women from being assigned to smaller ground combat units. Smaller exemptions to the rule were passed in 2012, but the new decision opens up 238,000 positions where women were formerly banned. Link

If women want to defend this country in combat (and clearly thousands do) then they should be given the chance. They are as capable as men and we should stop letting pre-21st century paternalistic attitudes drive policy.