One of the latest frontiers of integration in the U.S. military are army platoon artillery jobs. Women like 1st Lt. Kelly Requa are moving into these positions as the military marches toward its January 2016 deadline to open all combat roles to women. Requa is one of at least eight female lieutenants brought in to lead field artillery units in the 3rd Battalion of the 321st Field Artillery Regiment, stationed near Fayetteville, N.C.

Lt. Col. Christopher Valeriano, the 3rd Battalion’s commander, said in an interview with A.P. that it’s “pretty impressive to see the women coming in and running circles around the men,” he said. Valeriano said that he sees women outperforming their male counterparts all the time.

“Most of my female lieutenants outrun my male lieutenants,” he said. “On overall strength, the males are stronger. But the females — endurance-wise and running — really made these guys take their game up a notch.”

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