Iskra (leadership education and development, U. of Maryland, College Park), a retired Navy commander who was the first woman to command a ship, examines the history, policies, and current issues affecting women in the US military. The first chapter traces contributions of women from the American Revolution up to 1990, the legislation and policies that authorized women to enter the military, and the changes that occurred over the twentieth century to expand their roles. She then discusses policy and practice changes since 1990, such as those allowing women to fly combat aircraft and be assigned as permanent ship's company on surface combatant ships; the issue of citizenship rights and responsibilitiesand restrictions on women's roles, especially the ground combat exclusion and arguments for women's registration for selective service; the lives of female heroes, prisoners of war, and those who have earned awards; and concerns like gender discrimination, sexual harassment and assault, and conflicts with marriage and family.
