US Army approves first women in infantry, armour officer roles

WASHINGTON – The Army says it has commissioned the first women to be commissioned as infantry and armour officers – leadership roles that until now were open only to men.

The Army said Friday it approved requests from 22 women – 13 as armour officers and nine into the infantry branch. They will be graduating as second lieutenants from the U.S. Military Academy, as well as from Reserve Officer Training Corps programs and the Army’s Officer Candidate School.

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READ MORE: Marines told integrating women into combat roles irreversible

After commissioning, the women will have to complete infantry or armour-specific training before reporting for duty qualified to be platoon leaders.

Last month, in announcing how it will implement the full integration of women into infantry and armour units, the Army said it would start with officers, followed by enlisted soldiers.

WATCH: New frontier of combat roles now available to women in the US Army

1:26 New frontier of combat roles now available to women in the US Army