nterparts. If you are on the frontline or providing support from the rear you are still in combat, and will do what is necessary to protect yourself and others. Whether it is feeding soldiers, or sending supplies to them, you are contributing." The point SFC Skepple is trying to Gamboni-Short 3 convey is that women have been supporting combat missions without having to fire weapons. Further she says, "In my opinion, women have proven that they can serve in combat, and are willing to do so because they know if called upon they don't have a choice. However, I pray to God that I will never have to fight. As of September 5, 2000, there are 90,563 women in the U.S. military, comprising about 13 percent of the total U.S. Armed Forces (Defense Almanac OCT 2000). In 1970, only 1.4 percent of the total military was comprised of women, a number that more than tripled to 4.6 percent in 1975, nearly doubled to 8.3 in 1980, rose to 10 in 1985, 11 in 1990, to the current 13 percent (Government Executive March 1999). When discussing the history of women in combat, one might think of Joan of Arc who in 1429, at age 17, successfully led French troops into battle against the English. Hundreds of women disguised themselves as men to fight in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. Beginning in 1942, separate military services for women were established, but women did not gain professional military status until 1948 when President Truman signed the Women's Armed Services Integration Act, which limited their number to 2 percent of the total military. In 1991, the Gamboni-Short 4 restriction of women from flying combat aircraft was repealed, but the 1948 law still bans women from serving on naval combat vessels (Minerva Spring 1994). I don't think the answer to the gender problems the military faces is to go back to the separate military services. We can work productively, side-by-side with servicemen provided we stay in garrison environments rather than
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