In 2013, the Secretary of Defense and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff announced the repeal of the rule that prohibited women from being assigned to combat jobs and combat units. The Services were directed to develop and complete integration implementation plans by the end of 2015. The Services are now one year into full integration. Miltary and civilian experts will examine the progress made toward full integration and the challenges that remain.

Panel Discussion 1: Integration Successes

Holly Hemphill (National Women’s Law Center, Senior Counsel)

• Ms. Hemphill will provide a brief overview of the history and trends that have supported or impeded the gradual opening of occupations and units.

Ellen Haring (Service Women’s Action Network, US Army Colonel, Retired)

• The Army is well into full integration. Ms. Haring will provide an update on where the Army stands with full integration, as well as the successes and challenges to date.

2LT Katrina Simpson, NH USANG, Infantry Officer AND 2LT Wednesday Nelson, CO USANG, Infantry Officer

• 2LT Simpson and 2LT Nelson are graduates of the first integrated infantry officer courses. They will describe their motivations, their initial training, and how standards were applied during training.

Panel Discussion 2: Ongoing Challenges

Kate Germano (LtCol, USMC Retired)

• Kate Germano is a former commander of the all women USMC recruit training battalion. She will outline the problems associated with segregated boot camp and how to overcome those challenges.

Joe Plenzler (LtCol, USMC Retired) AND Greg Jacob (Capt, USMC Infantry Combat Veteran)

• Joe Plenzler and Greg Jacob are former Marine Corps infantry officers. They will discuss physical requirements of the infantry branch as related to recently published standards for the Marine Corps Infantry Officer Course.

Gillian Thomas (American Civil Liberties Union, Senior Staff Attorney)

• Ms. Thomas will outline past and ongoing legal challenges related to women’s full integration.

Q & A