Another military milestone. Today, the secretary of defense is expected to announce by unanimous recommendation of the joint chiefs of staff that hes lifting the ban that prevent s female soldiers and marines from serve on the lines of combat. Heres nbc News Pentagon correspondent Jim Miklaszewski. Reporter for the past ten years, u. S. Military women have served on the front lines in both iraq and afghanistan, but never allowed in direct Ground Combat roles. Lifting the 20 year ban against women in combat will ultimately put them directly in the heat of battle. It opens some 237,000 combat positions to women. Women will be assigned to roles communication, logistics and drivers. Gradually, theyll work closer to battle as medics are. Before they become infantry troops. Women have paid the ultimate price of war. 152 u. S. Military women have been killed in iraq and afghanistan. Tammy duckworth lost both of her legs as an Army Helicopter pilot in iraq. She says lifting the ban will level
Washington with more. Good morning. Reporter this is a big deal. Its a ban thats been in place for nearly 20 years. After first rolling back the ban on gays in the military, now coming today this new announcement about new opportunities in the military for women. The formal announcement is expected today outgoing defense secretary leon panetta will end the 19yearold ban on women serving in combat. For those who have what it takes, its a chance for them to have equal treatment. Reporter the move can open up 237,000 jobs. Women on the front lines in close quarters for months at a time . Not everyone thinks its a good idea. The extended endurance that is needed, as i say, we have enough problems with sometimes with men. Reporter last month the aclu sued in federal court, plaintiffs argue keeping women in the background is bad military strategy. It creates a dangerous set of rules that make it difficult for commanders in decide best way to fight. Reporter supporters argue that women are al
launches and a nuclear test that would target the u.s. for what it calls continuing hostility. this after the u.n. security council condemned pyongyang s december rocket launch and expanded sanctions against the regime. the search is on for three canadian men mising in antarctica after their small plane disappeared. a transmitter was activated in a mountainous area. a former forth grade teacher has been arrested and charged with sexually abusing 19 students and adult co-worker between september 2011 and march 2012. 57-year-old robert pimental is being held on bail. in an interview at a british air base, prince harry defended himself over remarks he made earlier this week about killing taliban fighters during his military tour in afghanistan. he also do things you expect to do wearing this uniform. it s as simple as that. and disturbing video from russia. a dash cam captured a toddler being thrown from a car during a
0 lifting the ban that prevents female soldiers and marines from serving on the front lines in combat. nbc s tracie potts is live in washington with more. good morning. reporter: this is a big deal. it s a ban that s been in place for nearly 20 years. after first rolling back the ban on gays in the military, now coming today this new announcement about new opportunities in the military for women. the formal announcement is expected today outgoing defense secretary leon panetta will end the 19-year-old ban on women serving in combat. for those who have what it takes, it s a chance for them to have equal treatment. reporter: the move can open up 237,000 jobs. women on the front lines in close quarters for months at a time? not everyone thinks it s a good idea. the extended endurance that is needed, as i say, we have enough problems with sometimes with men. reporter: last month the aclu sued in federal court, plaintiffs argue keeping women video. we have four dead americans. w