Women have been in "combat" for some time now. In the current two wars women pilots have flown actual combat missions and women in various support roles have been exposed to the equivalent of "fist line" combat situations. We just don't hear about it very often. Back in Korea, Vietnam, & Desert Shield/Storm, women for the most part, were not exposed to actual fire fights because they generally were far enough back to prevent that. Nowadays, women serve in support roles that involve them in frequent attacks by insurgents. It can be support convoys, public affairs missions(Attached to line units dealing with locals), and medical units closer than ever before. From what I've heard through the "grapevine", is that for the most part, their male counterparts have nothing but respect for their performance! They deal with all the challenges and are especially hated by many of the enemy/locals. And even with the "handicap" of being female in that region, they roll with the punches so to speak!
Also, consider that women excel in some combat roles. Examples include pilots & snipers, where finesse is a greater asset than brute strength! Ask a WWII German Soldier about the 1000's of Soviet women snipers!
The IDF, one of the most highly trained armies in the world use women for many roles, even roles that put them in harms way.
I guess my point is that the media( And politicians) due a disservice to female members of our armed forces by not acknowledging that they have been in harms way for some time! Ask some of the female soldiers who have lost limbs if they think women haven't ween in combat yet!
