A person who serves in an army; a person engaged in military service. (Dictionary.com) This is the definition of a soldier, and yet in today's America, women are not treated as equals, nor as soldiers, in America's military branches. On June 12, 1948, women were allowed to enlist in the military under the Armed Services (Army) Integration of Women Act. However, it was soon realized that women could not meet certain physical demands. Different dress codes also had to be created for women, as the current dress code is not suitable for the female figure. There are also many liability issues associated with a woman serving in the military, as well as current American cultural values ​​that are unfavorable to women in the military. On June 12, 1948, the Women's Armed Services Integration Act was created, allowing women to enlist in the military. However, most women could not follow some aspects of the physical regimen; their bones and joints were severely damaged during their physical training. It was soon discovered that women's bodies were not built to withstand all the punishments of physical training that men's bodies could handle. Carrying sand-filled backpacks during races had caused many broken bones, a crucial part of the infantry's role as they often carry fifty to one hundred pounds of equipment. Shortly after this discovery, the physical requirements of the military were changed and there were now separate requirements for men and women. This change was a change for the worse. A soldier should be a soldier, if a woman cannot live up to the expectations of a soldier then she should not be allowed to be a soldier. Just because people can't get through boot camp doesn't mean the ...... middle of paper ......iers. Women discharged from the military will have something to strive for in the future, or they can try to advance in another company. When a company fires an employee because they are not performing as well as their peers, that is not discrimination, it just makes the company better. So if the military fires female soldiers who are not performing well or who are not as physically fit as male soldiers, then that is not discrimination; it’s simply about improving the business. Works Cited “A New Era.” ARMY.MIL. US Army, nd Web. November 28, 2011. .Chavis, Jason. “Why women should be in the military.” eHow. Demand Media Inc., nd Web. November 28, 2011. "Soldier". Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com, and Web. November 28 2011. .