The Military Might Allow Women In Combat

Female soldiers play a major role in the U.S. military, even though they're banned from taking part in combat operations. But that might be coming to an end. Listen to this . . .

--Last week, the Army chief of staff . . . a guy named General George Casey . . . told lawmakers it was time to start thinking about allowing female soldiers to take part in combat.

--The logic is that during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, female soldiers have unexpectedly been thrust into combat situations against insurgents, and they've consistently held their own.

--So far, Defense Secretary Robert Gates hasn't commented on the policy.

--But his press secretary has acknowledged that despite the combat ban, quote, "effectively many women in uniform are in combat missions every day, be they helicopter pilots, be they medics, be they logistical support personnel."

--For the record, 220,000 women have fought in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and more than 120 of them have been killed in the line of duty.