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Pentagon ends ban on women in frontline combat Pentagon ends ban on women in frontline combat
(35 minutes later)
  
US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta has lifted the military's ban on women serving in combat roles, potentially opening hundreds of thousands of frontline positions to women.US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta has lifted the military's ban on women serving in combat roles, potentially opening hundreds of thousands of frontline positions to women.
The ruling, officially announced on Thursday, overturns a 1994 rule barring women from small ground-combat units.The ruling, officially announced on Thursday, overturns a 1994 rule barring women from small ground-combat units.
But the military will have until 2016 to argue for any specific posts they think should remain closed to women.But the military will have until 2016 to argue for any specific posts they think should remain closed to women.
President Barack Obama fully backs the move, his spokesman said.President Barack Obama fully backs the move, his spokesman said.
At a Pentagon press conference, Mr Panetta said: "Female service members have faced the reality of combat, proving their willingness to fight and, yes, to die to defend their fellow Americans."At a Pentagon press conference, Mr Panetta said: "Female service members have faced the reality of combat, proving their willingness to fight and, yes, to die to defend their fellow Americans."
He added: "Today, we are eliminating the direct ground-combat exclusion rule for women and we are moving forward with a plan to eliminate all unnecessary gender-based barriers to service."He added: "Today, we are eliminating the direct ground-combat exclusion rule for women and we are moving forward with a plan to eliminate all unnecessary gender-based barriers to service."
He also acknowledged a complaint frequently voiced by women denied combat roles - that military careers are hindered by a lack of combat experience.He also acknowledged a complaint frequently voiced by women denied combat roles - that military careers are hindered by a lack of combat experience.
"I fundamentally believe that our military is more effective when success is based solely on ability and qualifications and on performance," he said."I fundamentally believe that our military is more effective when success is based solely on ability and qualifications and on performance," he said.
At the White House on Thursday, spokesman Jay Carney said the president was "very pleased" with the new policy. He noted the proposal had emerged from military commanders - not politicians. US President Barack Obama welcomed the "historic step".
"This milestone reflects the courageous and patriotic service of women through more than two centuries of American history and the indispensable role of women in today's military," he said.
"Many have made the ultimate sacrifice, including more than 150 women who have given their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan - patriots whose sacrifices show that valour knows no gender."
Military chiefs will be asked to report back to Mr Panetta by 15 May on their initial plans to implement the new policy.Military chiefs will be asked to report back to Mr Panetta by 15 May on their initial plans to implement the new policy.
A senior defence official said about 237,000 jobs would be newly open to women "who can meet the standards".A senior defence official said about 237,000 jobs would be newly open to women "who can meet the standards".
"People aren't going to be excluded from jobs simply because of their gender," another US military official said. "If they can do it - male or female - they can do it. If they can't, they can't." Mr Panetta hopes to have the process complete by 2016. The US is expected to have withdrawn all combat troops from Afghanistan well ahead of that time.
Mr Panetta hopes to have the process complete by 2016; The US is expected to have withdrawn all combat troops from Afghanistan well ahead of that time.
Some jobs are expected to be opened to women this year, while others - including for special forces such as the Navy Seals and the Delta Force - could take longer.Some jobs are expected to be opened to women this year, while others - including for special forces such as the Navy Seals and the Delta Force - could take longer.
This decision could open more than 230,000 combat roles to women, many in infantry units.
Numerous officials have said the change reflected the current reality that 21st Century warfare is no longer fought in trenches along clearly demarcated lines.
One of the most high-profile female combat veterans in America is US Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat who lost her legs when the Army helicopter she was piloting in Iraq was shot down.One of the most high-profile female combat veterans in America is US Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat who lost her legs when the Army helicopter she was piloting in Iraq was shot down.
On Thursday, she quipped on NBC's Today show: "I didn't lose my legs in a bar fight. I'm pretty sure I was in combat."On Thursday, she quipped on NBC's Today show: "I didn't lose my legs in a bar fight. I'm pretty sure I was in combat."
But Elaine Donnelly, from the US Center for Military Readiness, told Newsday that the move was "most unfortunate". Restrictions were first eased a year ago, when the Pentagon opened up 14,500 roles, closer to the frontline, which had previously been off limits to female personnel.
"It's certainly not going to be helpful to our women in the military, or our men. It will cause enormous complications in the infantry battalions - the small tip-of-the-spear units, the ones that fight the enemy with deliberate offensive action under fire. These units are all-male for very good reasons.
"Thirty years of studies, reports and actual experience... have shown that in direct ground combat units - the infantry - women do not have an equal opportunity to survive or to help fellow soldiers to survive. The physical aspects of it are only part of the reason."
Restrictions were first eased a year ago, when the Pentagon opened up 14,500 roles, closer to the front line, which had previously been off limits to female personnel.
In November, a group of four women in the military sued the defence department over the ban, arguing that it was unconstitutional.In November, a group of four women in the military sued the defence department over the ban, arguing that it was unconstitutional.
One of the plaintiffs, Marine Corps Capt Zoe Bedell, said existing rules had blocked her advancement in the Marines.One of the plaintiffs, Marine Corps Capt Zoe Bedell, said existing rules had blocked her advancement in the Marines.
During the Iraq and Afghan wars, US female military personnel have worked as medics, military police and intelligence officers, sometimes attached but not formally assigned to front-line units.During the Iraq and Afghan wars, US female military personnel have worked as medics, military police and intelligence officers, sometimes attached but not formally assigned to front-line units.
As of 2012, more than 800 women were wounded in those wars, and at least 130 have died.As of 2012, more than 800 women were wounded in those wars, and at least 130 have died.
Women comprise 14% of America's 1.4 million active military personnel.Women comprise 14% of America's 1.4 million active military personnel.