motleycrew, nobody is going to argue with your knowledge demonstrated in this thread. However, the topic is something different. In fact, women (and by extension transgenders) have been in US combat for the entire Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. Early in the war they were unrecognized for their accomplishments because of attitudes. Tammy Duckworth was a helicopter pilot, and sustained serious injuries. This is the reality. They have been part of combat in many other countries for much longer. The only reason we are having this discussion now is we have a sick and dysfunctional Commander In Chief.