I can present you the other side, as well. I will carry out the policies of my Government. Two years ago, senior generals forced Mr. West to scale back an ambitious plan to increase the number of jobs open to women. The Army ultimately opened more than 41,000 positions, but women are still barred from 32 percent of the jobs, including operating an advanced field artillery weapon called the Multiple Launch Rocket System. Senior officials say women, who make up 14 percent of the Army, or 69,000 soldiers, play an increasingly important role in the military as fewer young men enlist.
Women are here to stay.
If we are going to have a successful Army we must be able to pull from the widest available pool of talent. But senior Army officials say they have no immediate plans to open more positions to women. For that reason, military experts say, the best prospects for increasing the number of ground-combat jobs open to women hinge on the recommendations of a special panel that Mr. West appointed last month to review policies on sexual harassment. Many panel members have been outspoken proponents of integrating women in the Army. Although the Army directed panel members not to discuss their views for this article, a few agreed to be interviewed.