§652 Notice to Congress of Proposed Changes in Units, Assignments, Etc. to Which Female Members May Be Assigned

Summary

The Secretary of Defense must give Congress at least 30 calendar days’ notice before putting into effect any change that would open or close assignments for female service members under the ground combat exclusion policy or that would open or close military career designators to women. The notice must explain the change, say why it is needed, and include a detailed legal analysis about whether treating only men under the Military Selective Service Act is constitutional. The ground combat exclusion policy means the rules in force on October 1, 1994, that kept women from assignments below brigade level whose main job is direct ground combat. A military career designator means job codes tied to ground operations as of May 18, 2005, for enlisted members, warrant officers, and officers. Except for cases covered by section 8225 or by the rule above, the Secretary must also give at least 30 days’ written notice to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees before making other personnel changes that would let women serve in unit types not covered above, combat vessels, or combat platforms that are now closed to them.