You dont recall correctly. My first duty assigment was to E Battery (Target Aquisition), 25th Field Artillery, 2nd Infantry Division (Korea) [82-83]. A Target Aquistion Battery is VERY close to the front. We had several women assigned.
The "chivalry" argument has been raised often but never proven. Indeed other armies which allow women have also not reported such problems.
Where is the "front"? PFC Lynch was assigned to a Maintenance Battalion - these normally do not see action. Thats why all soldiers need to be trained and prepared for all circumstances.
The pregnancy issue is one of the few that can be raised. My opinion has always been that if a female soldier becomes pregnant, she should be encouraged to leave the service as the soldier role and the mother role don't mix. A soldier, upon elistment, basically gives the military full rights to thier time for the duration of the elistment - marriage, children, family etc, all normally suffer greatly during this time - but the "first" commitment must always be the military. A mother can not say this and she should therefore voluntarily leave the service.