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WASHINGTON — The Army announced Friday the first 22 women to be commissioned as infantry and armor officers under new rules that open all ground combat jobs to females this year.

The move is a major step toward integrating women into so-called ground combat jobs, placing them in leadership roles in occupations that were never open to them.

The 22 women are near completion of their officer training and will be commissioned as second lieutenants in coming weeks. They need to successfully complete the specialty schools and meet the physical requirements before fully qualifying in the fields.

The military had expected only a small number of women to volunteer for the jobs, at least initially. The Marine Corps said about 200 women a year would likely join newly opened ground combat positions, including the infantry.

The latest Army numbers seem to reflect that forecast, though the numbers could grow as more women enter the fields and pave the way for others.

“Incrementally over time, it’s been one success after another,” Lt. Col. Jerry Pionk, an Army spokesman, said recently about overall efforts to expand opportunities for women in the armed services.

The 22 women are currently in West Point, ROTC or Officer Candidate School and will be commissioned as officers when they graduate. One woman is currently in Officer Candidate School. Thirteen will enter the armor field and nine will join infantry.

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http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/army-ap...ocid=spartanntp