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<a href="http://www.mca-marines.org/gazette">www.mca-marines.org/gazette</a> 41 M a r i n e C o r p s G a z e t t e • M a y 2 0 0 9 ith our Nation’s cur- rent stance in the war on terror, the argu- ment over women serving in combat is distorted. Women are piloting aircraft, leading security missions, providing medical support, and serving in several combat support tasks. This war has mutated the realms of the rear area environment due to an enemy face that is without boundaries. The role of women in combat has changed significantly over time, and now more than ever, their leadership experience is a pivotal asset in military leadership. Women are leading from the front, and quite frankly they are leading our Nation’s men and women into combat. Research alludes to the scarcity of women in executive positions, and there is a necessity to further investi- gate the experiences of the few women who are leading a majority of male sub- ordinates. In 2003 the Service with the most women was the Army—74,429.1 The Service with the highest percent- age of women was the Air Force—19.6 percent, and the Navy was a close sec- ond with nearly 14 percent. The Serv- ice with the fewest women was the Marine Corps—10,728. The Marine Corps also has the lowest percentage of women—6 percent. Despite the low percentages of women in the different military branches, it is important to mention that currently the Department of Defense Women Leading Men Combat leadership through aspects of femininity, self-efficacy, emotional intelligence, and teamwork by Capt Karen M. Walker W >Capt Walker is assigned to Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 38. She has completed her doctorate degree in industrial/organizational psychology. Times have changed since this photo was taken in 1944 and so have the roles and responsibilities of women Marines. (Photo by Mildred Boggs, Franklin, WV.)
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