May 25, 2012

Two female Army Reserve officers have sued the U.S. Department of Defense and the Army in a bid to reverse military policies banning women from serving in combat roles.

The lawsuit filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court for the
District of Columbia accuses the government of violating the
constitutional rights of servicewomen by excluding them from
certain ground combat units and other positions on the basis of
their gender.

Command Sgt. Maj. Jane Baldwin and Col. Ellen Haring allege the
policies have hindered their career advancement.

The lawsuit names Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, Secretary
of the Army John McHugh and two other officials. There was no
immediate comment from the Defense Department.

The legal effort stems from an initiative by a University of
Virginia professor and several law students.