Presidential Commission on the Assignment of Women in the Armed Forces
The role of women in the United States armed services became an important political topic in 1991. Women military personnel had engaged in combat in the most recent U.S. military actions: Grenada in 1983 Panama in 1989, and the Gulf War in 1991. Senator William V. Roth introduced a Senate bill in 1991 to clarify women's roles in the armed forces, including combat. RepresentativePatricia Schroeder and Beverly B. Byron then convinced the House Armed Services Committee to amend the House bill under consideration for military appropriations for 1992 and 1993 to allow combat roles for military women. In the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator John Glenn opined that a thorough review and study of the issue of women's role in the armed services would take up to 18 months. Senator Sam Nunn, Chair of the Senate Committee, then introduced several Senate bills—102 S. 1507, 102 S. 1508, 102 S. 1509, and 102 S. 1515—to create just such a commission. The Congressional conference committee chosen to reconcile the House and Senate versions of bills for 1992-1993 military appropriations included creating the Commission in the approved 1992-1993 military appropriations law.
Official name
"Presidential Commission on the Assignment of Women in the Armed Forces"
"In general, the Commission shall assess the laws and policies restricting the assignment of female service members and shall make findings on such matters"
Specific matters for the Commission to study included
Combat readiness of armed forces permitting women combat roles
Public attitudes regarding military women assigned combat roles
Legal implications of
Modification of facilities, quarters, vehicles, and equipment for women in combat roles
Training of women in the combat skills to use these combat materials
Costs involved in these modifications and training for women for combat roles
Implications of allowing or restricting women from combat roles on the recruitment
Each member of the commission, except for the Chair, was assigned to a panel to collect specific information relating to the commission's purposes.
Panel One
Commissions members: Ray, Clarke, Henderson Assignment: Women's roles in the armed services of other nations; women's roles in domestic law enforcement; the issue of prisoner of war
Panel Two
Commission members: Cockerham, Finch, Moskos Assignment: Physiological and cost issues for training, readiness, clothing, facilities, and equipment; the issue of pregnancy; the issue of combat unit cohesion
Panel Three
Commission members: Neizer, Donnelly, Thurman Assignment: Social and cultural issues, with a focus on the family; concerns about parenthood and child care affecting "deployability"; analysis of the surveys done for the Commission
Panel Four
Commission members: O'Beirne, Draude, Hogg, White Assignment: Legal and management issues; issues surrounding personnel retention and career development in all-volunteer armed services; examine recent : experiences of women in combat in Panama and Grenada
Commission Survey of Retired Flag and General Officers
Fact-finding trips by commission members to Armed Services installations
Air Force = 5 installations visited
Army = 5 installations visited
Foreign Military Representatives = 6 countries consulted
Marines = 4 installations visited
Navy = 9 installations visited
Others = 2 installations
Formal commission meetings
March 25, 1992 Washington, DC March 26, 1992 Washington, DC April 6–7, 1992 Washington, DC May 4–5, 1992 Washington, DC June 8–9, 1992 Washington, DC June 25–26, 1992 Washington, DC
July 13–15, 1992 Chicago, IL August 6–8, 1992 Los Angeles, CA August 27–29, 1992 Dallas, TX September 10–12, 1992 Washington, DC October 1–3, 1992 Washington, DC October 22–24, 1992 Washington, DC November 1–3, 1992 Washington, DC November 9–10, 1992 Washington, DC November 15, 1992 Washington, DC December 15, 1992 Washington, DC
Findings and recommendations
A. Quotas and Goals B. Voluntary vs. Involuntary Duty C. Fitness/Wellness Standards D. Occupational Physical Requirements E. Basic Training Standards F. Pre-Commissioning Standards G. Gender-Related Occupational Standards H. Parental and Family Police I. Pregnancy and Deployability Policies J. Combat Roles for Women K. Ground Combat L. Combat Aircraft M. Combatant Vessels N. Special Operations O. "Risk Rule" P. Transition Process Q. Conscription
