women in combat

One of the 20 female soldiers, center, who is among the 400 students who qualified to start Ranger School, runs in place in between obstacles on the Darby Queen, one of the toughest obstacle courses in U.S. Army training, at Fort Benning, in Ga. (Robin Trimarchi/Ledger-Enquirer via AP, File)

Army 1st Lt. Shaye Haver and Capt. Kristen Griest pose for photos with other female West Point alumni after an Army Ranger school graduation ceremony at Fort Benning, Ga. There are increasing rumblings about whether women should now be required to register for the draft if they can indeed serve in all areas of the military. (Associated Press)

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016, before the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing to examine the implementation of the decision to open all ground combat units to women. (Associated Press)

Female soldiers training on a firing range while wearing new body armor in Fort Campbell, Ky. The troops told a Rand Corp. survey that they believe women don't have the physical strength or mental toughness to do the grueling jobs. (Associated Press)

From France's Joan of Arc to female resistance fighters in World War II and the black-clad women warriors of the Viet Cong, history is filled with stories of women fighting alongside men.