Leon E. Panetta, the defense secretary for the United States, made history this month when he lifted the military ban on women entering direct combat. This controversial action opened opportunities and careers that were previously unavailable to female service members, while also raising a good deal of discussion and debate.

The decision also comes after other momentous changes in the military, including the end of “don’t ask, don’t tell.”

Panetta overturned the Pentagon’s 1994 mandate that barred female service members from combat roles such as artillery, armory and infantry. Despite the official ban that was in place, women have seen much direct combat in Iraq and Afghanistan over the years. More than 800 women have been wounded and more than 130 have died during their military deployments.

For many years, women’s rights activists have resisted the ban but were met with much opposition. The opposing side argued on the grounds that women were physically incapable of performing the same tasks as men. Women will now have to pass regulatory tests that ensure their capabilities before entering combat zones in their new roles. Others were concerned that women would pose as a distraction to the service men that would be working alongside them.

For some, the lifting of the ban hardly came as a surprise.

“Anyone who has watched the Obama administration’s handling of our military, along with the changes that are taking place in American society, would not be particularly surprised by current changes to our military,” said Bruce Evensen, the graduate director at DePaul.

In regards to the lifted ban’s direct effects on U.S. war zones, the change may not be apparent immediately.

“I don’t think there will be any immediate impact in Afghanistan because even with the lifting of the ban it will still require time to train female troops in combat arms jobs,” said Dan Panzarella, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and DePaul student.

So far, not much change has occurred other than the actual lifting of the ban. DePaul University Army ROTC intructor Adam Malaty-Uhr agreed with Panzarella.

“Women have been in combat for a long time, and I think the press is mischaracterizing the issue,” said Malaty-Uhr. “We expect future guidance, but have not received a timeline of when or how the changes announced by the Secretary of Defense will take place.”