THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, July 27, 1994 TAG: 9407270362
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A11 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Short : 42 lines
The Army has decided to open air cavalry units to women, putting them on board Cobra and Apache helicopters flying cover for tanks on the battlefield, Pentagon sources said Tuesday.
But the military's largest service will not allow women to operate a key field artillery weapon, the Multiple Launch Rocket System, nor will it allow women to fly choppers for stealthy special operations units, said the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
In all, the Army has decided to open 32,699 new jobs to women, which will expand their role on or near the battlefield.
The move reflects a major compromise between Army Secretary Togo West, who was pushing for the acceptance of women in all of those units and more, and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Gordon Sullivan, who argued for a more moderate approach.
The issue had set off a raging debate within the Army. Some top generals openly opposed giving women any new jobs related to combat, even in the face of pressure by the Clinton administration to follow the lead of other branches of the military in increasing opportunities for females.
Infantry, armor and field artillery combat units - roughly 27 percent of the Army's jobs - will remain off-limits to women, the sources said. Those jobs center on seeking out and destroying the enemy.
While air cavalry units are paired with a ground combat unit of tanks and can operate within sight of an opposing force, they are not expected to come in direct contact with the enemy.
The decision reflects how the lines of combat on the battlefield have become blurred for many.
KEYWORDS: WOMEN IN THE MILITARY WOMEN IN COMBAT U.S.
ARMY by CNB