Rep. Davis Applauds Fully Opening Military to Women

The decision is almost three years in the making.

The official process to open combat jobs to women began in January 2013, when then Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta rescinded the direct combat exclusion rule, which barred women from combat roles, following a 2012 lawsuit filed by female service members and the American Civil Liberties Union.

“As long as they qualify and meet the standards, women will…be allowed to drive tanks, fire mortars, and lead infantry soldiers into combat”, Carter said. “We shouldn’t diminish that”.

General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and former Marine commandant, said he had given Carter his best advice on the issue and would now fully integrate women “in a manner that maintains our joint warfighting capability”.

Two Democratic members of the armed services panels welcomed Carter’s decision.

The US military must have access “to the greatest possible number of talents”, and cannot leave aside women, he said.

The only exemptions were requested by the Marine Corps, which has a 93 percent male force dominated by infantry and a culture that still segregates recruits by gender for basic training. “Today, I’m announcing my decision not to make continued exceptions, in that is, to proceed with opening all these remaining occupations and positions to women”, stated Carter”.

Such arguments have been rejected and starting next year, an increase of 220,000 military jobs will be open to women.

Ashton Carter, US Defence Secretary, on Friday in Washington, said the military would open all combat jobs to women, not minding the objections by the Marine Corps.

Carter disagreed and said there will be no exceptions, but everyone in the roles will still have to meet the necessary standards.

The Defense secretary made it clear that combat roles – which, in theory, could include elite assignments such as special ops, Navy SEALs, Army Delta forces and, of course, Rangers – will be decided on the basis of ability, not gender.

Women long have sought an end to the Pentagon’s combat restrictions, which have prevented them from advancing in rank as quickly as men.

He and Carter also noted the physical and medical concerns, including data that suggests women are injured more often than men.

Carter acknowledged the Marines’ resistance, but said he’d chose to set a policy that covers the full department.

The immediate impact of the momentous changes would likely be felt by the three women who recently passed Army Ranger School.

He says women will be able to fill all jobs now limited to men, including infantry and some special operations units.