EQUALITY WATCH : Breaking Some Glass

With the end of the Cold War comes a new progressiveness in military and security operations. Women in the United States and Britain are gaining access to positions previously reserved for men. This could open up significant new career opportunities for women. It’s long overdue, but a fitting acknowledgment of the many contributions of women in military and security matters.

The $291-billion defense bill recently signed by President Bush repeals a 1948 law barring women from combat flights. Female pilots will be able to fly combat missions, although a question remains as to how soon they could be assigned. Congress voted to make the change in recognition of the role of U.S. military women in the Gulf War.

Combat experience has long been considered a prerequisite for military promotions.

Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, the British broke with tradition in naming the first woman--Stella Rimington, 56--to run the MI-5 counterespionage service. It was the first time Britain had identified its spy chief by name. Rimington is a 22-year veteran of the agency and is currently deputy to the MI-5 director general, Sir Patrick Walker, who will resign in February.

As women rise in the military and in security agencies, more and more they will become part of the important policy-making process. They will continue to perform within accepted standards of career service and, more important, will bring added perspective to domestic and international security issues. That’s another version of the new world order.