Twenty-two women currently training to become U.S. Army officers will be allowed to enter the service as second lieutenants in the infantry and armor branches under historic new rules that allow women to serve in combat jobs, the Army said on Friday.
The women, who are nearing the completion of officer training and will be commissioned in the coming weeks, had requested permission to serve in the newly opened roles upon entering the service, the Army said in a statement.
Thirteen have been approved to enter the Army as armor officers and nine have been approved for the infantry.
All 22 must complete their remaining training before fully qualifying as infantry or armor officers, the statement said.
