The Iowa National Guard has admitted two women to artillery units in Northwest Iowa for the first time in history.
Officials say they expect to recruit more women, now that combat jobs are open to females.
Iowa National Guard Adjutant General Timothy Orr says 18 percent of those serving in the Iowa Air Guard are women, with 15 percent in the Army Guard.
Orr would like to double that.
He says women in support units are already exposed to combat:
“A convoy when it leaves the base, it’s men and women,” Orr says. “They’re under the same potential even though they’re not in a combat unit.”
Orr says several have received the Silver Star for gallantry in action.
Under a 2013 directive, the U.S. Military is opening up combat jobs pending any exceptions by the Secretary of Defense.
General Orr says in northwest Iowa, combat units predominate, which up to now has limited female enlistment.
However, Orr says no specific recruitment of women is planned.
“I think our point is to sell the organization as a professional organization and to allow opportunity to all,” Orr says.
Orr cites enlistment benefits including 100 percent tuition assistance for men and women.
Orr is in command of both the Army and Air National Guard in Iowa and his top deputies in both branches are women. That would put them in a position to be considered for the top job of adjutant general when Orr retires.
