Department of Defense to open nearly 15,000 jobs to women

WASHINGTON - Nearly 15,000 jobs in the Defense Department have become available to women, according to a DOD press release.

The department told Congress today it intends to make two changes to rules set in place since 1994, according to a report required by the 2011 National Defense Authorization Act.

First, positions required to be co-located with ground combat units will be open to women.

Second, a "sizeable" number of battalion level positions will open.

"Women are contributing in unprecedented ways to the military's mission.  Through their courage, sacrifice, patriotism and great skill, women have proven their ability to serve in an expanding number of roles on and off the battlefield," Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said.  "We will continue to open as many positions as possible to women so that anyone qualified to serve can have the opportunity to do so."

The Pentagon has experienced criticism by some female advocacy groups for moving to slowly on this proposal, according to the Washington Post.

Since 2001, about 280,000 women have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan - 144 have been killed and 865 have been wounded, according to Defense Department statistics.

The armed services are also looking in to gender-neutral physical standards to be used by all military members, according to the press release.

Panetta has asked the services for a July update on the implementation and progress of the new gender-neutral physical standards.

The changes are expected to take place in the spring.