in 1901 and the Navy Nurse Corps in 1908; and
WHEREAS, World War II compelled the Congress of the United
States to provide for additional, extremely limited service
roles due to the urgent need for manpower; and
WHEREAS, In the latter half of the 20th century, social
change spurring the end of the military draft and the beginning
of an all-volunteer force, along with the equal rights movement,
led to increased integration of the United States Armed Forces;
and
WHEREAS, In more than a decade of war in Iraq and
Afghanistan, more than 225,000 women have served with courage,
skill and patriotism; and
WHEREAS, More than 152 women in uniform have died while
serving our nation in Iraq and Afghanistan; and
WHEREAS, Women currently make up more than 15% of the active-
duty personnel in the United States Armed Forces; and
WHEREAS, Women are integral to the ability of the Department
of Defense to fulfill its mission; and
WHEREAS, The United States Secretary of Defense announced the
end of the direct ground combat exclusion rule for female
service members in January 2013 following a unanimous
recommendation by the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and
WHEREAS, The decision to end the direct ground combat
exclusion rule opened approximately 237,000 positions to women,
including 184,000 combat arms professions and 53,000 assignments
that had been closed based on unit type; and
WHEREAS, This has ensured that the most qualified and most
capable service members are available to carry out the mission
regardless of gender; and
WHEREAS, The Secretary of Defense has further directed that
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