Women on the Front Lines

Women have served in the armed forces since the nation’s founding. They were nurses, cooks, and spies during the Revolutionary War (1775-1783). During the Civil War (1861-1865), some women even disguised themselves as men to fight (see “Key Dates,” below). 

However, women were not allowed to officially join the military until the last two years of World War I (1914-1918). Even then, most of the 33,000 women who signed up were limited to nursing or other temporary support positions. 

Women’s options expanded during World War II (1939-1945), when more than 400,000 of them served as mechanics, pilots, nurses, and radio operators.

Women have served in the armed forces since the beginning of the nation. They were nurses, cooks, and spies during the Revolutionary War (1775-1783). During the Civil War (1861-1865), some women even dressed as men to fight. (See “Key Dates,” below.)

But women were not allowed to officially join the military until the last two years of World War I (1914-1918). Even then, most of the 33,000 women who signed up could serve only as nurses or in temporary support positions.

Women had more opportunities during World War II (1939-1945). More than 400,000 of them served as mechanics, pilots, nurses, and radio operators.

Keeping female troops out of the line of fire became more difficult as modern warfare evolved—especially during the nation’s ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. In both wars, traditional front lines do not exist. Firefights can occur anywhere. 

As a result, thousands of U.S. servicewomen in Afghanistan and Iraq dodged bullets and roadside bombs for years before they were officially allowed in combat. Nearly 14,000 of them earned military honors for engaging with the enemy. For many Americans, hearing of those female troops’ heroics was a turning point.

Keeping female troops out of battle has become more difficult as modern warfare has changed. A lot of the change has taken place during the nation’s current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. In both wars, traditional front lines do not exist. Combat can happen anywhere.

As a result, thousands of U.S. servicewomen in Afghanistan and Iraq dodged bullets and roadside bombs for years before they were officially allowed to fight. Nearly 14,000 of them earned military honors for battling the enemy. For many Americans, hearing of those female troops’ bravery was a turning point.

When the Department of Defense opened combat roles to women, military leaders emphasized that positions would be filled based on ability, not gender. The 18 women who became the first to complete Army infantry training in May 2017 met the same physical requirements as their male counterparts. They hurled grenades 100 feet, marched a dozen miles at a time shouldering heavy packs, and singlehandedly dragged a 268-pound dummy across a battlefield. 

“They carry what everyone else carries. They walk the same amount of mileage. They push, they pull, they sweat, they bleed just like everybody else,” Sergeant 1st Class Joseph Sapp, a drill sergeant, told the Army Times about his female infantry recruits. 

The first female Marine infantry officer also completed the same  grueling 13-week course as male hopefuls. “The significance of her achievement cannot be overstated,” wrote two retired Marines.

When the Department of Defense opened combat roles to women, military leaders pointed out that positions would be filled based on ability, not gender. In May 2017, 18 women became the first to complete Army infantry training. They met the same physical requirements as the male recruits. They threw grenades 100 feet, marched a dozen miles at a time while carrying heavy packs, and dragged a 268-pound dummy across a battlefield on their own.

“They carry what everyone else carries. They walk the same amount of distance. They push, they pull, they sweat, they bleed just like everybody else,” Sergeant 1st Class Joseph Sapp told the Army Times. The drill sergeant was talking about his female infantry recruits.

The first female Marine infantry officer also completed the same demanding 13-week course as male hopefuls. “The significance of her achievement cannot be overstated,” wrote two retired Marines.

Not every woman who tries for a direct combat position succeeds, of course. In the first co-ed Army infantry boot camp, 44 percent of the women who started ended up dropping out. For men, the dropout rate was 20 percent.

The disparity is more obvious in special forces training, which is longer and more demanding. Eighteen women in 2015 were the first to attempt Army Ranger training. Just two finished. And one woman began the long process to become the first female Navy SEAL this summer, only to quit weeks later. (About 75 percent of male SEAL hopefuls drop out.) 

For people who oppose having women in combat, those stats point to a key argument: Women simply aren’t as physically strong as men. 

“Even though some exceptional women might qualify, the fact remains that most women cannot meet physical standards for combat units, while most men can,” says Elaine Donnelly of the Center for Military Readiness.

Not every woman who tries for a direct combat position succeeds, of course. In the first co-ed Army infantry boot camp, 44 percent of the women who started ended up dropping out. For men, the dropout rate was 20 percent.

The difference is more obvious in special forces training. That is a longer and more demanding program. In 2015, 18 women were the first to attempt Army Ranger training. Just two finished. This summer, one woman began the long process to become the first female Navy SEAL. She quit weeks later. (About 75 percent of male SEAL hopefuls drop out.)

For people who oppose having women in combat, these figures support one of their main arguments: Women simply are not as physically strong as men.

“Even though some exceptional women might qualify, the fact remains that most women cannot meet physical standards for combat units, while most men can,” says Elaine Donnelly of the Center for Military Readiness.

Physical challenges aren’t the only issues female troops face. Even with all combat roles open, the battlefield is not even, some troops say. One example: Most body armor and helmets are designed for men. 

Military leaders say they are aware of the challenges and are working to adapt. The Marine Corps, for example, has agreed to integrate all parts of its boot camp training by as early as next spring. The branch—which has the lowest percentage of women—aims to have women make up at least 10 percent of its forces by 2019. Other branches are stepping up female recruitment as well.

The more women who move into combat positions, the more others will follow, military experts predict. And holding those jobs may offer a faster path to leadership positions. Serving in combat has historically been critical to career advancement in the military, and women have argued that the combat ban had long stopped them from competing with men for top spots. 

Montalbano, for one, remains optimistic that women’s role in the military—and in direct combat—will continue to grow. “Baby steps have turned into great leaps,” she says. “We have come a long way.”

Physical challenges are not the only issues female troops face. Some of them say that even though all of the combat roles are open, the battlefield is not even. For example, most body armor and helmets are designed for men.

Military leaders say they are aware of the challenges and are working to meet them. The Marine Corps, for example, has agreed to integrate all parts of its boot camp training by as early as next spring. That branch has the lowest percentage of women. The goal is to have women make up at least 10 percent of its forces by 2019. Other branches are trying to increase female enrollment as well.

Military experts predict that as more women move into combat positions, even more will follow. Holding such jobs may offer a faster path to leadership positions. Historically, serving in combat has been key to career advancement in the military. Women have argued that the combat ban had long stopped them from competing with men for top spots.

Montalbano, for one, remains hopeful that women’s role in the military, and in direct combat, will continue to grow. “Baby steps have turned into great leaps,” she says. “We have come a long way.”