Published: Jan 14, 2026, 23:06 IST | Updated: Jan 14, 2026, 23:06 IST
The Pentagon has launched a six-month review of women serving in U.S. ground combat roles more than a decade after those positions were formally opened. The move comes as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth revisits long-running debates over combat standards and readiness. While military officials say standards will remain elite and gender-neutral, critics argue the review risks reopening a settled issue. ABC News examines the stakes, the data, and the voices from inside the ranks.