In a landmark decision, Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced all military occupations and positions open to women, effective January 2016. It marked the first time such a seismic shift in U.S. military policy had ever occurred. The unprecedented change removes all gender-based barriers to service, opening up previously all-male positions for women who can meet the standards for such positions.
Carter was quick to note that women would also be allowed to serve in, among other posts, the Army Rangers, Green Berets, Navy SEALs, Marine Corps infantry, and Air Force parajumpers. “They’ll be allowed to drive tanks, fire mortars, and lead infantry soldiers into combat,” Carter stated. “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.”
This decision comes after extensive studies and recommendations by the top civilian and military leaders for all branches of the armed forces. For the last three years, these leaders have studied the issue of integrating women into combat positions. Carter told reporters the other services Army, Navy, Air Force, and Special Operations Command found no jobs for which they would seek exemptions but the Marine Corps had requested partial exemptions for some jobs including infantry and reconnaissance. But Carter concluded “one size fits all” on behalf of the entire force, saying, “We are a joint force and I have decided to make a decision which applies to the entire force.”
In a memorandum to the secretaries of military departments, Carter ordered that all military occupational specialties be opened to women within 30 days as the law states. Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Paul Selva will oversee the implementation to ensure there are no unintended consequences.
The integration is to be based on seven principles that will help advance force effectiveness, assigning tasks based on ability and not gender, thus recognizing the physical distinction between men and women. Carter insisted that this process would be deliberate and methodical, aiming to advance the strength and effectiveness of the U.S. armed forces.
But this determination comes against the backdrop of conflicting conclusions from a year-long Marine Corps study that concluded all-male combat units outperformed mixed-gender units in almost every metric, including in speed, lethality, and casualty evacuation. According to the findings, male-only squads proved more accurate, faster, and less injured than mixed-gender or female-only squads. Carter, however, is undeterred by the facts in this regard as he is in his commitment to integrating women into all positions in combat.
Then-Marine Corps Commandant Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford had recommended excluding women from some front-line combat jobs, a recommendation that had ignited debate. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus opposed the proposal and voiced his support for allowing women to compete for any combat role. Mabus said “I think they will be a stronger force because a more diverse force is a stronger force. And it will not make them any less lethal.”
As the military moves forward, it learns that there are still challenges but it is determined to maintain its status as the best fighting force in the world. “Fully integrating women into all military positions will make the U.S. armed forces better and stronger but there will be problems to fix and challenges to overcome,” Carter said. “We shouldn’t diminish that.”
This decision ushers in a giant leap for the country toward gender equality in the military, where their capacity and contribution to national defense are the sole basis for judgment.