The US Military, Women, & Combat Arms

Loretta Walsh was the first women to enlist in the Navy, the first American active-duty Navy Woman, and most importly the first female serve in the United States Army Forces.

 

 In 1948 legislation was passed that made women a permanent part of the armed forces. Loretta Walsh directly affected this legislation as American support for women in the Armed Forces changed with time.

 

Throughout American history, women filled combat support roles such as nursing, manufacturing, and communications. Although women served in combat roles throughout our history, they were forced to fake their identities.  

 

In 1976, women were accepted into the service academies.  

 

In more recent history, during Desert Storm and Desert Shield, around 40,000 women were deployed in support of the Gulf War.

 

In 1994, Congress barred women from serving in units whose primary role was combat operations.