All jobs in the military are now open to women, including combat jobs. “We can not afford to cut ourselves off from half the country’s talents and skills”.
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White House press secretary Josh Earnest said officials will examine a Defense Department analysis on potential changes to the Selective Service Act, which requires virtually all men in the US between the ages of 18 and 26 register for the draft, most within 30 days of turning 18. Over the years, in particular during the last seven years of Obama Administration, armed forces have gradually opened up for women. Only the Marine Corp. has remained resistant to the idea of placing women in risky combat positions and has sought any exceptions to removing the bans on doing so. There will be no exceptions.
Carter made it clear the new policy includes every area and service – women will “be allowed to drive tanks, fire mortars and lead infantry soldiers into combat”. “They’ll be able to serve as Army Rangers and Green Berets, Navy SEALS, Marine Corps infantry, Air Force parajumpers and everything else that was previously open only to men”.
Although the Army, Navy and Air Force have been steadily moving female personnel into all posts, including as pilots of Apache helicopters and fighter jets.
“Given that the Armed Forces have waged the longest continuous conflict in our history with an All-Volunteer Force, and the fact that most military career fields are now open to women, a review of the military selective service act would be prudent, ” Carter said at the time.
“There will be no exceptions”, Mr. Carter said, adding he was confident the change would enhance “combat effectiveness”. The decision overturns a longstanding rule and tradition that forbade women from taking part in active combat roles.
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The Defense Department is “taking another historic step forward” by opening up all positions to women, according to President Barack Obama. “We welcome an open debate around the inclusion of women and even whether the law itself is an anachronism whose time has come”, Judy Patterson, chief executive officer of the Service Women’s Action Network, said in a statement, as cited by Stars and Stripes.
