WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Pentagon is unveiling plans Thursday to allow women to serve in thousands of U.S. military jobs closer to the front lines, reflecting the realities of the last decade of war in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Defense officials say the new rules will still mean that woman are barred from serving as infantry, armor and special operations forces -- considered the most dangerous combat jobs.
But the changes will open the door for more opportunities and promotions for women by allowing them to perform jobs they are already performing, but in battalions, which are closer to the fighting and once considered too dangerous for women.
A 1994 combat exclusion policy bans women from being assigned to ground combat units below the brigade level. A brigade is roughly 3,500 troops split into several battalions of about 800 soldiers each. Historically, brigades were based farther from the front lines and often include top command and support staff, while the battalions are usually in closer contact with the enemy.
In the past decade, the necessities of war propelled women into jobs such as medics, military police and intelligence officers, and they were sometimes attached -- but not formally assigned -- to battalions. So while a woman couldn't be assigned as an infantryman in a battalion going out on patrol, she could fly the helicopter supporting the unit, or move in to provide medical aid if troops were injured.
The officials said the new rules will formally allow women to work in those jobs at the battalion level.
``We believe that it's very important to explore ways to offer more opportunities to women in the military,'' Pentagon press secretary George Little said Thursday. ``This review has been thorough and extensive,'' with input from all branches of the military.