Linda L. Bray (born 1960)[1] is a former U.S. Army officer known for being the first woman in the United States military to lead troops into combat.

She attended Western Carolina University, where she joined the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) in 1981.

From November 1983 – 1987 Bray served with the 556th Military Police Company in Siegelsbach West Germany.

[4] From December 1989 to April 1990 Bray was deployed to Panama for Operation Just Cause as commander of the 988th Military Police Company.

The reason for the invasion was to overthrow Panama's military dictator at the time, Manuel Noriega.

[6] Bray and her platoon's objective was to neutralize an attack-dog kennel on the periphery of Panama City.

[8] This fueled the Direct Ground Combat Definition and Assignment Rule issued by the Department of Defense in 1994.

"I think it's absolutely wonderful that our nation's military is taking steps to help women break the glass ceiling.

[3] She married John Raymond "Randy" Bray III on December 6, 1983, whom she met while stationed in Germany.