US army colonel calling 'average-looking' female soldiers 'more competent' steps down

The US Army colonel who called for pictures of only 'ugly' women to be used in promotional material has reportedly stepped down from her role in the campaign.

Col. Lynette Arnhart suggested fewer photos of attractive females in promotional material to recruit women for combat duty because she believes they are more competent than sexy female soldiers.

Army spokesman George Wright confirmed that Col. Arnhart agreed to step down as the military branch's director of gender-integration studies, Fox News reports.

Arnhart made the remarks in an internal email that 'average-looking women' should be used in the material.

According to the report, the army this year lifted a ban on women in combat and has been working since then on how to best integrate them into such roles.

Meanwhile, Theresa Vail, who is the reigning Miss Kansas, said that Arnhart's comments reflected entrenched stereotypes that attractive women aren't competent enough to serve in combat or other military roles, the report added.