America has lost its mind on the military.
Whether it is good or bad for women, LGBTs, or anyone else to serve in forward areas in combat, I don't know. But military service is not a RIGHT; it is a PRIVILEGE that ought to be granted solely on the basis of what our military leaders believe to be in the best interest of the defense of America. We've gone a long way down another road, mostly as a result of political forces. Time will tell if this is good for the defense of America. This is, however, an issue where political correctness has very truly silenced much of the legitimate debate of the cost/benefits to our country regarding our policy on who will and won't be allowed to serve.
I......think that debate's already been settled, FB. Like literally about a decade ago.
The issue of women is combat roles is far from settled. I don't think the Obama administration's policy allowing women to serve in combat roles changed until this year or late last year, not "a decade ago". And why is it that long-standing conservative policies are always open for review, while liberal policies are always settled, anyway?
Women have been serving in combat roles on fighter jets (Air Force) and battleships (Navy) for more than a decade. But in infantry they had previous been limited to combat support roles (combat medic, etc.). It was this last barrier which has recently fallen.