Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta hands Army Lt. Col. Tamatha Patterson a document he signed during a news conference at the Pentagon, Jan. 24, 2013, to lift the Defense Department's ban on women in direct ground combat roles. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta hands Army Lt. Col. Tamatha Patterson a document he signed during a news conference at the Pentagon, Jan. 24, 2013, to lift the Defense Department's ban on women in direct ground combat roles. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo SHARE: Download: Full Size (3.64 MB) Credit: VIRIN: 019334-G-VRZ94-997.jpg Photo Gallery