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Marines expand women's roles, getting them closer to the front lines

The US Marine Corps is taking steps to integrate women into ground combat battalions.

Female US soldiers sue to lift combat ban

Women say they want an end to restrictions based "solely on the basis of sex"

US Female Marine, Gunnery Sargeant Michelle Mollen of the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines Regiment, patrols in Garmser, Helmand Province, Afghanistan on March 12, 2011.

Adek Berry

AFP/Getty Images