Army Allowing Women In Positions Previously Banned

Fort Carson is one of six Army installations where women will be allowed in previously closed jobs for a six-month trial.

The Pentagon announced in February that thousands of jobs closer to front lines would be opened to women. The Army said last week Fort Carson is among the locations for the trial.

A 1994 policy bans women from ground combat units below the brigade level. Brigades have roughly 3,500 troops and their headquarters are traditionally away from the front lines.

The new policy allows women to serve at the battalion level. Battalions have about 800 soldiers and are usually in closer contact with an enemy.

“The fact of the matter is women have proven themselves in those types of positions over the last 10 years,” said John McHugh, Secretary of the Army.

The revision of the ban will open up thousands of jobs nationwide, with 35 positions opening at Fort Carson.

“Not only do we want to have women in the military in the U.S. Army, we have to. They’ve proven that in Afghanistan and we cannot do it and we don’t want to do it without them,” Said McHugh.

“The recommended revisions to policy are informed by practice, reflecting the evolving nature of modern combat and women Soldiers? continued outstanding service. Opening positions to a wider pool of skilled personnel maximizes military capabilities by providing a greater pool of qualified members from which to draw, and reduces the operational tempo for those currently deploying,” Fort Carson officials told KRDO Newschannel 13.

The trial begins May 14. The other Army sites are Fort Hood, Texas, Fort Knox, Ky., Fort Drum, N.Y., Fort Campbell, Ky., and Hawaii.

According to Fort Carson officials, this selection of brigade combat teams is “a representative sampling of the Amy at large, representing a broad spectrum of professions and cultures that will allow us to best assess how this exception might impact the Army overall.?