Women all over the world serve in direct combat roles. Review those Pesh Merga pictures or the female divisions ransacking Berlin. The problem we have is that some of our leadership want female warriors to be plug-in replacements for males. The error here is the preconception that all male warriors are plug-in replacements for each other. They are not.

Any squad or platoon level leader knows that each member of their command has different strengths and weaknesses. Some can carry heavier packs longer distances, some can run faster or farther, some are better marksmen, some are better or more willing with a knife, some are just better warriors.

Leadership skill includes the ability consider these differences when establishing expectations and making task assignments. There is nothing new needed as women agree to risk all to serve.