Here’s a tale of two photographs distributed recently by news agencies. In one, two sailors embrace on a pier in Virginia and exchange the traditional “first kiss” as one of them completes an 80-day sea voyage. In the other, two Marines in full battle gear walk patrol in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province.

All four of the soldiers are women.

The first picture shows how swiftly gays have improved their status in the military. Last September, the outmoded “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy was finally dismantled and now same sex couples can openly celebrate their unions, and reunions, alongside their straight comrades.

“It’s something new, that’s for sure,” one of the smooching sailors, Petty Officer 2nd Class Marissa Gaeta, told reporters. “It’s nice to be able to be myself. It’s been a long time coming.”

But female soldiers are still waiting for that same level of acceptance when it comes to serving in combat. The Marines in the second photo, Corporal Jessica Williams and Lance Corporal Shawnee Redbear, share the same jobs and dangers as their male counterparts. But since women are officially barred from serving directly in ground combat units, they can only be “attached” to those units. As a result of this convenient fiction, the women don’t get full credit or recognition for their service.