Woman claims Army violates combat rules

WASHINGTON, March 14 (UPI) -- The Pentagon is denying it is in violation of its own rules concerning the possible deployment of women in direct ground combat units.

An activist who is against women serving in combat roles in the U.S. military has sent the Pentagon a detailed letter asking for an investigation into what she says are moves in which the armed forces get around stated rules by moving women in and out of certain units, the Washington Times reported Monday.

A 1994 set of Pentagon guidelines bars women from serving in support units assigned to a direct ground combat unit that is closed to women.

Elaine Donnelly, president of the Center for Military Readiness, which works military personnel issues, charges the Army is ordering women in and out of units depending on the level of fighting, the Times said.

An Army spokesman told the Times, "The Army is in compliance with the policy."