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One of the Marine Corps' first women grunts might be booted out only two years after making history

The military's effort to integrate women into combat positions was delivered another blow this week as reports surfaced that one of the first female infantry Marines might be discharged less than two years after joining her infantry unit.

  • One of the first female infantry Marines is facing discharge from the Corps for misconduct.
  • Her commanding general will decide the conditions of her likely discharge, which will determine eligibility for VA benefits and potentially impact her civilian career.
  • Her likely discharge is yet another blow to the military's effort to fully integrate women into combat roles.

The military's effort to integrate women into combat positions suffered another blow this week as reports surfaced that one of the first female infantry Marines might be discharged less than two years after joining her infantry unit.

Cpl. Remedios Cruz, who was reduced in rank from sergeant, is facing discharge after pleading guilty to fraternization as part of a deal to avoid going to trial. According to the New York Times, in the Article 32 hearing —the military's version of a grand jury proceeding — the presiding official advised against a full-blown court-martial.

Cruz's battalion commander disagreed, and recommended she go to trial for all three charges brought against her, which included adultery, accessory to larceny and fraternization, the Times reported.

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Cruz admitted to fraternization and waived her right to an administrative separation board, leaving the decision in the hands of Maj. Gen. David Furness, commanding general of the Second Marine Division. While it is likely she will be separated, Furness will decide whether to discharge her and under what conditions, which will directly impact her ability to receive VA benefits and future employability.

In an interview with the Times, Cruz said she is ready to move on. But her case may have bigger implications for the military's ongoing efforts to integrate women into combat positions — an endeavor that has faced a number of setbacks and fierce criticism from many quarters.

Just last week, the Army removed a company first sergeant from his position after an investigation into his relationship with a female subordinate, who was also punished. The woman, who was not named in the Army Times report, was one of the first soldiers to graduate from the Army's infantry training.

Secretary of Defense James Mattis says the military needs more time before labeling its integration effort as a success or failure.

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Cruz's defense attorney, Marine Capt. Jacob Johnston, believes her case should not define her service.

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