WASHINGTON (AP) - Defense officials say the Pentagon is changing its rules to allow women to serve in more jobs closer to the front lines.

The changes will allow the rules to catch up a bit with the reality that women have been fighting and dying in Iraq and Afghanistan for a decade.

Officials say the new rules are expected to continue the long-held prohibition that prevents women from serving as infantry, armor and special operations forces. But, they will allow more women to serve in other roles at the battalion level, which until now had been considered too close to combat.

Officials spoke about the report on condition of anonymity because it has not yet been made public. An announcement is expected Thursday.