The passage implies which of the following is a factor conducive to a more equitable representation of women in the United States armed forces than has existed in the past?

• A. The all-volunteer character of the present armed forces.
• B. The past service records of women who had assignments functionally equivalent to men s assignments.
• C. The level of awareness on the part of the larger society of military issues.
• D. An increased decline in the proportion of deterrence oriented non combat assignments.