Dec 4, 2015- US Defense Secretary Ash Carter has announced that all combat roles in the US military will be opened to women.
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He said any man or woman who meets the standards should be able to serve, and he gave the armed services 30 days to submit plans to make the historic change.
“We’ve seen women in our armed forces prove their heroism and abilities, now our official policy is catching up and women who are qualified for these positions should be able to compete and win them”, Clinton said at a New Hampshire event after the announcement. “There will be no exceptions”.
Carter’s decision overrides a recommendation made by the Marine Corps that women should continue not being allowed to serve in its combat units.
“Today’s historic announcement finally recognizes that our military is strongest when it prioritizes merit and capability, not gender – and it’s about damn time”, said Rep. Martha McSally (R-Ariz.), who is one of four female Iraq War veterans serving in Congress.
Asked whether the decision opened the door to women being required to serve in front-line combat positions, Carter said members of the military had some choices but not “absolute choice”.
Other members of Congress praised Carter’s decision as a good move for women, the military and the country, the Military Times reports. Three women recently passed the rigorous Army Ranger course, but some 220,000 military jobs are still closed to women.
It’s not clear yet how each military branch will implement the new policy, but the Chief of Public Affairs for the U.S. Army Alaska said it could be up to a year before women are assigned to combat positions. Women will also now be able to join special forces teams like the Navy SEALs, Delta Force, etc., if they qualify. They had been barred from applying for service with the 75th Ranger Regiment under existing rules, but Carter said the three would now be eligible.
On Thursday, Carter said that job placement “must be based on ability, not gender”. “While we know the U.S. is a nation committed to using our entire population to the fullest, as are some of our closest friends and allies, we also know that not all nations share this perspective”, he said.
This will strengthen our armed forces, and it builds on a history of honorable and courageous service by women throughout the military, as well as thoughtful research and analysis by the services and the Defense Department.
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A senior defence official said the services will have to begin putting plans in place by April 1.
