Women In Combat

Cpl. Angelique Preston, left, coaches two female Marines during marksmanship training at Camp Pendleton, March 24, 2016.

KPBS Midday Edition

Women Marines Signing Up For Combat Duty

Susan Murphy

The Pentagon decided in December to admit women for the first time to front-line ground combat roles. Two women stationed at Camp Pendleton shared with KPBS why they signed up for war zone jobs.

Military

Navy Secretary Visits Camp Pendleton To Sell Marines On Women In Combat

Susan Murphy

The Associated Press

The secretary told more than 1,200 Marines and sailors that the decision is final. Marine Corps leaders had sought to keep certain infantry and combat jobs closed to women.

Natalie Slattery, a Navy veteran who served in ground combat in Iraq in 2008 as a convoy gunner, talks about her experience outside the San Diego Veterans Museum in Balboa Park, Dec. 3, 2015.

Military

'It's About Time,' Says San Diego Female Combat Veteran On Pentagon Decision

Susan Murphy

Historic decision opens approximately 220,000 military combat jobs to women

Marine Sgt. Zarina Flemming sits on top of an amphibious assault vehicle at a Camp Pendleton beach following a training exercise, May 14, 2015.

Military

Women Make History At Camp Pendleton, Train For Combat Roles

Susan Murphy

The yearlong experiment to determine whether women can serve in ground combat is wrapping up. "I think for the males they kind of expected us to be ... the moms, the sisters — kind of take care of us. But now they’re like, ‘OK, we’re a Marine, you’re a Marine. Let’s just get the job done,’" said Marine Sgt. Zarina Flemming.