Military (Women in the Military)

We’re working to expand opportunities for female service members, to better prevent and detect sexual harassment and assault, and to eliminate all forms of sex discrimination, including discrimination based on pregnancy and parental status.

Highlights

press release | Historic Decision on Combat Roles for Women Opens the Doors of Opportunity to All Women in the Armed Forces, says NWLC

January 23, 2013

Pentagon Chief Leon Panetta has lifted the military’s ban on women serving in combat. The following is a statement by Nancy Duff Campbell, Co-President of the National Women’s Law Center:

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press release | NWLC Applauds Senator Gillibrand's Legislation That Moves Key Decisions in Sexual Assault Cases Outside the Chain of Command

May 16, 2013

(Washington, D.C.) Today, Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand (D-NY), along with Senators Collins (R-ME), Boxer (D-CA), Johanns (R-NE), Begich (D-AK), Blumenthal (D-CT), Coons (D-DE), Franken (D-MN), Hirono (D-HI), Milulski (D-MD), Pryor (D-AR), Schatz (D-HI), Shaheen (D-NH), and Representatives Benishek (R-MI), Gabbard (D-HI), Hanna (R-NY) and Sinema (D-AZ) announced The Military Justice Improvement Act, the bicameral legislation that would reform the military justice system by moving the decision-making, prosecution and referral for prosecution of all serious crimes from the chain of command. Read more...

Legal Briefs & Testimony | Letter to Senate Committee Supporting the Military Justice Improvement Act

June 7, 2013

In a letter to the Senate Committee on Armed Services regarding the Military Justice Improvement Act, S. 967, NWLC indicated strong support of the Military Justice Improvement Act, S. 967, bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would remove from the chain of command the prosecution and other key decision-making in military cases involving crimes punishable by confinement of one year or more, except crimes that are uniquely military, such as disobeying orders.

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Fact Sheet | Restrictions on Assignments of Military Women: A Brief History

May 6, 2013

The general trend since the end of the Second World War has been expanding roles for women in the armed forces. This paper provides background information on the history and status of policy governing assignment of military women.

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More Resources

Legal Briefs & Testimony | Letter to Lt. Col. Thomas C. Jaster, Air Force Legal Services Agency, Re: Proposed Amendments to Sections of Manual for Courts-Martial Relating to Adultery, 63 Fed. Reg. 43687 (Aug. 14, 1998)

October 27, 1998
October 27, 1998

Lt. Col. Thomas C. Jaster, USAF
Air Force Legal Services Agency
112 Luke Ave., Room 343
Bolling Air Force Base
Washington DC 20332-8000

Re: Proposed Amendments to Sections of Manual for Courts-Martial Relating to Adultery, 63 Fed. Reg. 43687 (Aug. 14, 1998)

Dear Colonel Jaster:
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Legal Briefs & Testimony | Letter to Judith Miller, General Counsel, Department of Defense, Re: Guidance Relating to the Offense of Adultery Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice

August 01, 1997

Judith Miller
General Counsel
Department of Defense
1600 Defense Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20301-1600


Dear Ms. Miller:
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Legal Briefs & Testimony | Statement of Nancy Duff Campbell, Co-President National Women's Law Center, Before the Subcommittee on Personnel, Committee on Armed Services U.S. Senate on Gender-Integrated Training

June 09, 1997
Statement of Nancy Duff Campbell, Co-President National Women's Law Center, Before the Subcommittee on Personnel, Committee on Armed Services U.S. Senate on Gender-Integrated Training
June 5, 1997
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Reports & Toolkits | Recommendations of the Presidential Commission on the Assignment of Women in the Armed Forces Regarding Parents in Military Service

November 14, 1992

This paper describes military policy regarding treatment of single parents and dual-service families and discusses implications of the Presidential Commission on the Assignment of Women in the Armed Forces' recommendations to restrict participation of single parents and dual-military couples with children in the services.

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Reports & Toolkits | Women in Combat

October 30, 1992

Serious attention has focused on women’s roles in the military since the end of the Persian Gulf War. As a result of women’s performance in Desert Storm, Congress repealed the law barring women from combat aircraft assignments and established a Presidential Commission on the Assignment of Women in the Armed Forces to study whether additional positions should be opened to women. This paper outlines the law as it currently pertains to women’s assignability, provides arguments against and in favor of opening combat positions to qualified women, discusses the work of the Presidential Commission, and makes recommendations for changes to law and policy.

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