Air Force vet McSally applauds military for opening up all roles to women

After the Department of Defense recently said it will allow women to serve in all U.S. military occupations and positions, including combat roles, U.S. Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ) praised the decision in a statement.

“Today’s historic announcement finally recognizes that our military is strongest when it prioritizes merit and capability, not gender – and it’s about ... time,” McSally said. “Women have been fighting and dying for our country since its earliest wars. They have shown they can compete with the best of the best and succeed. We are a country that looks at people as individuals, not groups. We select the best man for the job, even if it’s a woman. I couldn’t be prouder today of all the women warriors out there who have shown they have what it takes to be the best and serve with the best.”

McSally is a retired Air Force colonel who spent 26 years in the military and was the first woman in U.S. history to fly on air-combat missions, as well as command a fighter squadron.


Secretary of Defense Ash Carter said it was time for American women to have access to all the same military career paths offered to men. The current policy has barred women from around 10 percent of military positions -- most of which have been combat-intensive roles. That all changes Jan. 1, 2016.

“(Women) will be allowed to drive tanks, fire mortars and lead infantry soldiers into combat," Carter said. "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."

Carter said opening up all jobs to women is not just a move toward gender equality, but also puts talented women into key positions where different perspectives and skills may have a positive impact on military operations.