I tend to forget about that. I'm not one of those in favor of putting women on the front lines of combat. Just my opinion.
Probably most persons agree with that, Aqua, including me; the complications enormous of having them placed on combat teams.
First and foremost must be the ability of the team/unit to succeed.
However, consider that while operating in other roles, they are subject to attack and having to know *how* to protect themselves and their fellow Marines!
A prime example was our Trish, now a Marine Captain, and Executive Officer at a base in Mississippi.
She was aboard ship off Afghanistan as a Supply Officer with one of the first MEU's to go in, and was choppered in to the base established at Kandahar.
They were indeed under attack, and her training was essential to the success of all, just as was that of the men.
Remember that sometimes the war comes to you, unbidden . . .