Until recently, women in military service have largely been confined to duties involving administration, logistics, communications, and supply or motor transport. But now, thanks to the Marine Corps, women are finally being allowed at the battalion level, which though not quite front-line, is pretty close. The positions are open to female Marines who have been in service for a while: gunnery sergeants, staff sergeants and company-grade officers (lieutenants or captains) as well as Navy medical officers, chaplains and corpsmen who are also up for the move.

Women interested must participate in a 3-month training course at Quantico this summer.

Keep being totally badass, United States Marines (and Navy!)

[via the New York Times]

photo credit Stephen Morton