Three Reasons Women in Combat is a Great Thing

When Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced on January 23, 2013 that he was lifting the longstanding ban on women in combat, “it’s about time” was the common theme from supporters.

In modern warfare, “front lines” don’t exist.

Women have long been serving (and risking their lives) in combat alongside the teams they’re attached but not “assigned” to in military parlance.

We spoke with Brigadier General (Ret.) Rebecca Halstead, the first female Commanding General at the strategic level, about the top three ways this will improve military careers for women.

Promotions. The unspoken rule in military culture is that to reach the top echelons, one has to have combat experience. In the Army, for example, combat arms units are the most prestigious feeder ground for elite positions. Now these women will benefit from name recognition and reputation necessary for promotions.

“It’s the difference between being with the team, and truly being on the team,” says Halstead.

Professionalism. “Locker room talk or chewing tobacco may be stereotypes – but there’s a certain looseness and boys-will-be-boys culture that’s born of excluding women from combat units,” Halstead says.

Adding women buttons up the culture, creating a more professional work environment.

In fact, inclusiveness raises the bar for military leaders and the force in general.

“It’s darn easy to lead a team that looks and thinks like you,” says Halstead. “But having a diverse team means the entire organization will produce better leaders.”

Mentorship. Assigning women to combat units directly will help level the field for women soldiers’ mentoring and development opportunities.

Says Halstead, “Leaders will now think, ‘I have just as much responsibility to develop, train and mentor the female logistician as I do for this guy in combat arms.'”

Roger that.

Bonus PINK Link: Binders Full of Issues.

What do you think of the change to allow women in combat?

By Debra Shigley

Debra is a former employment attorney turned host of Deb’s Kitchen and author of The Go-Getter Girl’s Guide. You can visit her on Facebook or follow her on Twitter @Debrashigley.

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