While I have never been a proponent of women serving in the military other than on a very limited basis,  they do have the right to serve in the voluntary armed forces, and perhaps some of them actually desire to be in combative roles on the front lines. I suppose if they decide otherwise they can choose to get out of the service when their enlisted time expires.  What concerns me, however, is when/if the original draft is ever re-instituted, will women have any choice at all?  Will they all be required to register alongside the men, and will they be put in combat without question?  While it may appear to some that Leon Panetta is doing a fair thing, promoting equality among the sexes, will we look back one day and realize it actually restricted women's freedom to choose?  And then it will be too late.