Female Service Members are challenging the Pentagon's ban on women serving in combat positions. Four female Service Members who filed the lawsuit are saying it is discrimination.
The Associated Press reports, the women claim the policy unfairly blocks them from promotions and advancement that are open to men who serve in combat.
Three of the women in the lawsuit are Reservists.
Lieutenant Colonel Laura McHugh, at Fort Indiantown Gap disagrees with the premise of the lawsuit. She says, serving in combat can mean quicker and bigger promotions. "The single fact I've not deployed will not prevent you from getting promoted."
Lt. McHugh has spent the last 26 years serving our Country. She acknowledges there are military restrictions banning women from certain positions. "Women currently cannot serve in certain units with a high probability of combat such as infantry units."
But she is quick to point out that while infantry units will more likely see combat situations, the front lines per se are gone and women are often in positions of combat. "We have women flying attack helicopters."
She points to physical requirements needed by infantry soldiers as one reason women aren't place in those positions. "They need to be able to perform at the same standard as men are. Infantry soldiers carry bigger weapons and more equipment with more supplies. Women have to be able to carry their weight as the male counterparts do."
While Lieutenant Colonel McHugh says she doesn't know the exact scenarios of the four women in the lawsuit, she can stand proud and say she has never felt gender discrimination in her 26 year career in the Reserves.
The Associated Press reports, the women claim the policy unfairly blocks them from promotions and advancement that are open to men who serve in combat.
Three of the women in the lawsuit are Reservists.
Lieutenant Colonel Laura McHugh, at Fort Indiantown Gap disagrees with the premise of the lawsuit. She says, serving in combat can mean quicker and bigger promotions. "The single fact I've not deployed will not prevent you from getting promoted."
Lt. McHugh has spent the last 26 years serving our Country. She acknowledges there are military restrictions banning women from certain positions. "Women currently cannot serve in certain units with a high probability of combat such as infantry units."
But she is quick to point out that while infantry units will more likely see combat situations, the front lines per se are gone and women are often in positions of combat. "We have women flying attack helicopters."
She points to physical requirements needed by infantry soldiers as one reason women aren't place in those positions. "They need to be able to perform at the same standard as men are. Infantry soldiers carry bigger weapons and more equipment with more supplies. Women have to be able to carry their weight as the male counterparts do."
While Lieutenant Colonel McHugh says she doesn't know the exact scenarios of the four women in the lawsuit, she can stand proud and say she has never felt gender discrimination in her 26 year career in the Reserves.