Female Marines Take On Challenges in Afghanistan

BOLDOC, AFGHANISTAN - NOVEMBER 23: (SPAIN OUT, FRANCE OUT, AFP OUT) Lance Corporal Luz Lopez, 21, a US Marine with the FET (Female Engagement Team) 1st Battalion 8th Marines, Regimental Combat team II plays with an Afghan baby girl during a village medical outreach on November 23, 2010 in Boldoc, in Helmand province , Afghanistan. There are 48 women presently working along the volatile front lines of the war in Afghanistan deployed as the second Female Engagement team participating in a more active role, gaining access where men can't. The women, many who volunteer for the 6.5 month deployment take a 10 week course at Camp Pendleton in California where they are trained for any possible situation, including learning Afghan customs and basic Pashtun language. (Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)