What is your advice for Females joining the ranks of the combat jobs in the Military?

Know your limitations. With that being said get into the best shape you can. There is no shame in trying your best and not being able to make the cut. Remember that it's not personel when training starts and that the process is meant to break you down so that the Drill Sergeants can build you and your peers into a team that will be able to function together.

I responded in an earlier thread, here is the link for the Military Athlete Ruck based selection program. I know it says SF selection but they would be benefited from this without a doubt.
http://www.gosere.af.mil/Portals/16/documents/PT%20references/RUCK-BASED%20SELECTION%20TRAINING%20PROGRAM.pdf
Aside from the PC standpoint and all the suggestions from the NON-Infantry qualified responses, all the mentoring advise is irrelevant, lets be clear there are no female Officers or NCO's currently MOSQ 11 series to be mentors. Advice is work hard, ignore the harsh language, physically and mentally prepare themselves or they will get washed out. Infantry line units have no time to do the PC thing, all the IG complaints will just alienate them.
Also they need to avoid the media, they are not celebrities they are Infantry soldiers. There is nothing special about them, now they are just a number like the rest of the Grunts. Also they need to avoid the media because if they wash out, its not enforcing the argument that they don't belong.
Avoid getting involved in a relationship with their peers, this will be the number one problem period.
I cannot put this any other way but this is the advise I've given to female police trainees and males in my civilian career, bottom line is "Don't shit where you eat", there is no PC way to put it.
Prepare physically, mentally and prepare again.
If it was up to me for both males and females Basic training would be increased to 10 or 12 weeks by the look of the PT scores of both genders I've seen at current AIT detachments. Especially for combat arms, the increase would benefit everyone all the way around. I hope this helps cause there is going to be growing pains no matter what the powers that be want or expect.

As a USMC Retired Vietnam Veteran and historian, two goals haven't changed in combat: mission accomplishment and leave no one behind. Mission accomplishment is achieved when we make the most out of our training applying ourselves 100%, 24/7 never losing sight of the objective. As a writer and historian for the Marine Corps one common thread throughout all the events I have written about and done interviews for, including the Medal of Honor: we take care of our own. That means leaving no one behind and supporting our brothers and sisters in combat. It's not a gender, racial or sexual orientation thing - most combat Veterans will tell you they fought, were wounded and in some cases gave their lives for their fellow veterans. We are all part of the same team. Semper Fidelis.

As a former Marine Infantry guy, Army Paratrooper and a son in the Army as well. I gave my son this advice when he wanted to go Infantry, ranger, etc. Don't do it. While I applaud you or anyone else that want to be in Combat arms, the life you live and the wear and tear on your body will be with you for life. The day to day ops tempo is a tremendous step up from anything else you have been doing. Not sure what they do today, but back in the Old Corps, we did PT for 2-3 hours 5 days a week, including boots and Utes runs on the beach for 10-12 miles, then at least twice a month a 26 mile Mcrest march with full combat gear and if you were in a weapons company that could mean humping the 81mm mortar base plate (29lbs) on top of your weighted 70lb ruck, after PT. We had a hard charging CO of 3rd Bn 1St Marines who decided it was a good idea to Ruck march to 29 Palms from Camp Pendleton before a 3 week CAX at the stumps, 126 miles in 5 days, the we started the CAX. At the CAX we lived in GP tiny's, yes pup tents, in the dessert, for 3 weeks no showers, no bathrooms. At Marine Corps Mountain warfare training center in Bridgeport, Ca, for the winter package you are humping even more weight on your back due to the increase in amount of clothes and supplies you need. so essentially it is 80-100 lbs on your back plus weapons, radios, batteries, etc. Our usual load was about 100-125 lbs on our back, and if your airborne, I know many a men that had trouble shuffling to the door with full combat loads, but if all this sounds fun to you and you can stand tall with the guys, I say go for it.

Well the best advice you can give them is if they are willing to die in service for their country and able to meet with and defeat the enemy head on then go infantry! If they can meet the same standards as infantry men and can carry a wounded soldier with his/her kit on and still return fire while maneuvering to safety than by all means they are welcome to join. If they don't expect special treatment because they are female and if they don't mind humping a 60+lbs ruck and not being at the rear of the formation/movement than go infantry! If their not there just to prove some PC point and to actually want to kill the enemy then go infantry. If their just for the college fund than they are in the wrong place. As a recruiter, don't lie or try to make the job sound more exciting or better than it actually is, you might want to have a packed ruck in your office and make everyone do a mile for time (guys and gals).
Hope this helps,

As a 28 year veteran I have seen strong Soldiers and weak Soldiers. Regardless of gender, those who have the determination and skills to succeed will. Don't give up, when you think you are about to break, dig deep and pull that last ounce of strength to reach the goal and don't look back.

Being a combat veteran myself I would welcome female soldiers that pass all training and accept the same conditions their male companions have to live by. No favortism.

Initially, the female soldier needs to be in top physical condition. Being physically fit from the beginning will give you a step up on all those others that may not be prepared and will give everyone else (male/female/cadre) one less thing to complain about. Be mentally prepared and become as knowledgeable as possible on your future job and the Army Basics. Know that you will be surrounded by a lot of young, immature males who are likely to not know how to treat women as their peers. Grow some thick skin but don't take crap from anyone. There will be some comments, some joking, some stares and it will be difficult. You will be pushed and you will be challenged. Be professional, be cautious but be ready to do everything. Watch out for your fellow female soldiers and hopefully they will do the same for you.

As a former 19d (cavalry scout) and platoon c.a.s trainer I can say this when you are in any class c.l.s, fire support/artillery and or any of many others PAY ATTENTION your platoon will be counting on you do what you are told take notes learn every facet of your MOS. For those of you wanting to become cavalry carry on the tradition carry the sabres with Pride and earn your spurs

It's one thing to see our men being killed in action and being subjected to torture and abuse as POWs...but to see our military women go through the same ordeal plus the potential sexual assaults and rapes in these POW camps will exponentially sway American public opinion on this issue. I don't believe America is emotionally ready to see that ugly reality of war and combat for our military women - I personally know, I am not. Having said all these, I wish our military women good luck and shoot for the stars and just be cognizant on the realities of combat.