The announcement Thursday by Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter that the Pentagon is opening all combat roles to women — “with no exceptions” — may have been overshadowed by the tragedy in San Bernardino but it was historic nonetheless.
And it was warranted, too, given how women in the military have proven themselves in recent years in a variety of roles that placed them in combat zones even if they were not technically combat troops.
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 and Marine Corps infantry, Air Force parajumpers and everything else . . .”
That’s not to say, Carter added, that women will necessarily flood into some elite units and special operations where the physical standards are especially demanding.
The point is, however, that those women who can meet the standards and who wish to be a part of those units should be given the same opportunity as their male counterparts. And that’s why the new policy is the right call.
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