Since World War II women have served in the United States Armed Forces, but not until the Persian Gulf War has their role been subject to such public debate. Of course, this is partly due to the increased number of women serving. After the 1967 repeal of the limit on the number of women allowed to serve and the emergence of an all-volunteer force in 1973, it was probably only a matter of time before women soldiers would want the same chance as men to engage in the ultimate military experience, combat. Public debate on this point has been heated. The issue is not whether women have a place in the military, but rather, whether their services should or should not include combat duty from which they have always been excluded by either law or policy. - Preface.
