13. Women in Combat Roles
Desert Storm marked a turning point for women in the U.S. military. Over 40,000 women served in the Gulf, many in roles closer to direct combat than ever before. Their performance under fire challenged old assumptions and sparked lasting changes in military policy. The Gulf War’s legacy helped pave the way for the expanded integration of women into combat positions, ultimately transforming the structure and culture of the armed forces in the decades that followed.
