Women have made tremendous strides in regards to their participation and achievements in the U.S. military over the last year including the two women who were eligible to becoming the first ever female Army Rangers after completing the grueling course, but were technically unable to join the 75th Ranger Regiment. Despite the barriers that the ladies destroyed recently, women were still unable to serve their country in all military combat positions, until now.
On Thursday, Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced that ALL U.S. military combat positions are being opened up to women. Now some 220,000 jobs that were limited to strictly men including infantry, armor, reconnaissance and some special operations units are now also available to women.
“This means that as long as they qualify and meet the standards, women will now be able to contribute to our mission in ways they could not before. They’ll be able to drive tanks, give orders, lead infantry soldiers into combat,” Carter said at a news conference. “There will be no exceptions.”
“In the 21st Century, that requires drawing strength from the broadest pool possible,” Carter stated. He added that the Pentagon can’t successfully defend the country by eliminating half of the U.S. population from combat roles.
The historic announcement will have its detractors, including those who don’t want to see women in the Marine Corps. Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif. blasted the decision and cited a study done by the Marine Corps that showed that infantry units with women performed worse than all-male ones. Carter acknowledged that “some service members, men and women, have a perception that integration would be pursued at a cost of combat effectiveness.” To the critics Carter retorted, “We are a joint force, and I’ve decided to make a decision that applies to the entire force.”
And for those who get upset over these developments, Mr. Danny Trejo has some words for you.
“The military has long prided itself on being a meritocracy,” Carter said. “Physical differences on average between men and women and that thus far, we’ve only seen small numbers of women qualify to meet our high physical standards for some units.
The policy move will take effect after 30 days.
We need to get some lethal ladies on the U.S. special operation forces that has just been deployed to target ISIS to coordinate operations in Iraq and “to conduct unilateral operations into Syria,” Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on Tuesday.
How great would it be for a female soldier to take out some Daesh terrorists? Especially since Islamic State jihadists believe that they are guaranteed 72 virgins in paradise if they die in battle… EXCEPT when they are killed in battle by a female. Get killed by a woman and kiss those 72 virgins goodbye. In fact, Kurdish forces have full battalions of women to strike fear in the hearts of ISIS.
Congratulations ladies and thank you for your service.