A commission established to study diversity among military leaders is recommending that Defense Department officials rescind the policy that prevents women from being assigned to ground combat units below the brigade level.

In a report issued today, the Military Leadership Diversity Commission recommends that the department and the services eliminate combat exclusion policies for women, as well as other "barriers and inconsistencies, to create a level playing field for all qualified service members."

Retired Gen. Lester L. Lyles, who chaired the commission, said the recommendation, one of 20 in the report and the only one specific to women, is one way the congressionally mandated body suggests the military can get more qualified women into its more-senior leadership ranks.

"We know that (the exclusion) hinders women from promotion," General Lyles said.

"We want to take away all the hindrances and cultural biases" in promotions, he said.