Pentagon to lift rule excluding women from combat Published Jan. 24, 2013 By American Forces Press Service Armed Forces Press Service WASHINGTON (AFPS) -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, are expected to announce the lifting of the direct combat exclusion rule for women in the military, a senior defense official said today. The policy change will begin a process in which the services will develop plans to implement the decision, which was made by Panetta upon the recommendation of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the official said. The official provided no further details and did not indicate when the announcement might take place.