Earlier
this month, Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee announced plans to open seven
currently male-only, direct combat jobs to women by spring of 2016.
While
I commend the Air Force for this initiative, I first want to point out that
women in our armed-forces have been in combat situations from the beginning.
Whether as nurses or in other positions, women have been serving in combat and
have sacrificed just as much as our male counterparts.
I am
excited that these currently male-only direct-combat jobs will be open to
women. Today, only seven jobs in the Air Force are closed to women to include
special tactics officer, pararescue, tactical air control party (TACP), combat
rescue officer, combat control team, special operation weather officer and
enlisted.
Other
service branches have already begun implementing plans to integrate women into
direct-combat jobs by January 2016.
It has
been nearly two years since then-Defense Secretary Leon Panetta ordered that
all combat jobs be open to women by 2016 or explain why any must remain closed.
In addition, the Pentagon lifted its ban on women in such roles in 2012.
While
the ball has been slow to move, progress is finally being made to allow women
the full opportunities to serve our country that they have long-deserve.
I have
listened to many reports recently that give snapshot stories of women at the
Marine Corps Infantry Officer Course, and they are having their abilities
questioned. It is as if their capabilities are on trial in the media, as well
as at boot camp. Once again, I return to my first point: women have been
serving in combat situations for years.
Women
make up 15% of the 1.3 million active-duty members. With declining enrollment
in enlistment, opening equal opportunity within the service for current women
in the military and future female enlistees will only benefit the armed-forces.
Brigadier General Carol Ann Fausone
(ret.)
General Fausone began her military
career in the U.S. Air Force, and ended her service as the first female
Brigadier General in the Michigan National Guard’s history. Today, she
continues to help veterans and their families nationwide with her small
business, The Veteran Advocate, LLC.
Read more on this story on
the armed-forces news site, Military.com:
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