Sexes: Dick and Jane in Basic Training

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"Occasionally people would say scornfully to them, 'If you can't stand up to this, what will you do in combat?' The difference was that in combat they would not have expected to be tortured by their own side. " At the moment, the Administration has put a "pause" on increasing the number of women in the Army, while yet an other review board is preparing yet another assessment of the women's role. The idea of females in uniform was new even to Rogan, 35, who was born in Edinburgh and educated at Cambridge University before coming to the U.S. "My idea of a soldier was always a man. It was startling to see women, especially in command over men. And startling to see how quickly it seemed natural." Rogan believes that arguments about women's participation in the Army are now academic. "Women want to serve, and the Army needs the women's contribution if it is to become truly representative of the country it must defend." But the issue may very well depend on whether the volunteer force continues, or the country goes back to the draft.

—By Jane O'Reilly