Presidential Commission on the Assignment of Women in the Armed Forces
The role of women in the United States armed services became an important political topic in 1991. Women military personnel had engaged in combat in the most recent U.S. military actions: Grenada in 1983 Panama in 1989, and the Gulf War in 1991. Senator William V. Roth (R-DE) introduced a Senate bill in 1991 to clarify women's roles in the armed forces, including combat. Representative Patricia Schroeder (D-CO1) and Beverly B. Byron (D-MD6) then convinced the House Armed Services Committee to amend the House bill  under consideration for military appropriations for 1992 and 1993 to allow combat roles for military women. In the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator John Glenn (D-OH) opined that a thorough review and study of the issue of women's role in the armed services would take up to 18 months. Senator Sam Nunn (D-GA), Chair of the Senate Committee, then introduced several Senate bills—102 S. 1507, 102 S. 1508, 102 S. 1509, and 102 S. 1515—to create just such a commission. The Congressional conference committee chosen to reconcile the House and Senate versions of bills for 1992 -1993 military appropriations (of which Sen. Nunn was a member) included creating the Commission in the approved 1992-1993 military appropriations law. Official name. "Presidential Commission on the Assignment of Women in the Armed Forces" Purposes. Specific matters for the Commission to study included Membership. Commissioners Information gathering by panels. Each member of the commission, except for the Chair, was assigned to a panel to collect specific information relating to the commission's purposes. "Commissions members": Ray (Chair), Clarke, Henderson "Assignment": Women's roles in the armed services of other nations; women's roles in domestic law enforcement; the issue  of prisoner of war "Commission members": Cockerham (Chair), Finch, Moskos "Assignment": Physiological and cost issues for training, readiness, clothing, facilities, and equipment; the issue of pregnancy; the issue of combat unit cohesion "Commission members": Neizer (Chair), Donnelly, Thurman "Assignment": Social and cultural issues, with a focus on the family; concerns about parenthood and child care affecting "deployability"; analysis of the surveys done for the Commission "Commission members": O'Beirne (Chair), Draude, Hogg, White "Assignment": Legal and management issues; issues surrounding personnel retention and career development in all-volunteer armed services; examine recent : experiences of women in combat in Panama and Grenada  Formal commission meetings. March 25, 1992 Washington, DC March 26, 1992 Washington, DC April 6–7, 1992 Washington, DC May 4–5, 1992 Washington, DC June 8–9, 1992 Washington, DC June 25–26, 1992 Washington, DC July 13–15, 1992 Chicago, IL August 6–8, 1992 Los Angeles, CA August 27–29, 1992 Dallas, TX September 10–12, 1992 Washington, DC October 1–3, 1992 Washington, DC October 22–24, 1992 Washington, DC November 1–3, 1992 Washington, DC November 9–10, 1992 Washington, DC November 15, 1992 Washington, DC December 15, 1992 Washington, DC Findings and recommendations. A. Quotas and Goals B. Voluntary vs. Involuntary Duty C. Fitness/Wellness Standards  D. Occupational Physical Requirements E. Basic Training Standards F. Pre-Commissioning Standards G. Gender-Related Occupational Standards H. Parental and Family Police I. Pregnancy and Deployability Policies J. Combat Roles for Women K. Ground Combat L. Combat Aircraft M. Combatant Vessels N. Special Operations O. "Risk Rule" P. Transition Process Q. Conscription