Prior to assuming command of the Jacksonville Recruiting Battalion, Lt. Col. Sharlene Pigg served as the Branch Chief of Women in the Army (WITA) Assignment Policy, ODCS G-1 (Pentagon). In this role, her team drafted the details of the Army's way ahead to integrate women into closed units and closed occupations, such as Combat Engineers (12B). The Army's plan included first opening closed units to women, and then opening closed military occupational specialties, or MOSs, to women. Combat Engineers is the first MOS to open.
"It is personally and professionally gratifying to have played a role in the changing of Army policy. To bear witness to Private Morris' enlistment gives me a "ground truth" perspective on how our policies are directly impacting the lives of women entering our Service."
"While we are grateful to every man and woman who raises their right hand and swears an oath to defend the Constitution...Private Morris' enlistment has historic implications. I know that her recruiter, Staff Sgt. James Puckett, the Tifton Center, Valdosta Company, and Jacksonville Recruiting Battalion are proud to have played a part in her enlistment. We wish Private Morris the utmost success at her 16 weeks of Basic and Advanced Training, as well as in all her future endeavors!" said Lt. Col. Pigg.
Background:
In 2012, the Army opened 14,000 positions in closed units to female Soldiers with the elimination of the "co-location restriction" through its "Exception to Policy" program. Women were assigned to maneuver battalion headquarters in nine brigade combat teams, known as BCTs, as an exception to the Direct Ground Combat Definition and Assignment Rule.
In 2013, the Army signaled its intent to open an additional 6,000 positions within closed units. The Army accomplished that by opening up an additional eight active-duty BCTs to women -- for a total of 17; nine Army National Guard BCTs; and also positions within special operations aviation.
The Army then continued to open positions in closed units, initially within the headquarters of combat arms units such as infantry, armor and field artillery. The Army opened headquarters positions to women in reconnaissance, surveillance, targeting and acquisition maneuver battalions.
For enlisted Soldiers, about 76 military occupational specialties that are open to both male and female Soldiers are represented within closed units. For officers, there are about 35 officer areas of concentration represented within closed units. And for warrant officers, there are 19 warrant officer military occupational specialties represented in closed units.
The Army began allowing women to move into positions within previously-closed units in early 2014, first with officers and non-commissioned officers, and then with junior Soldiers. For occupations currently closed to women, the Army is planning on developing gender-neutral standards to ensure all Soldiers have fair access to jobs.
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