Statement by the President on the Opening of Combat Units to Women

The U.S. joins other nations in allowing women to serve in more dangerous roles.

(WASHINGTON DC) - The following statements are from U.S. President Barack Obama about the decision to allow women to serve in U.S. front line combat units.

Today, by moving to open more military positions—including ground combat units—to women, our armed forces have taken another historic step toward harnessing the talents and skills of all our citizens. 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. 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 valor knows no gender.

Earlier today I called Secretary of Defense Panetta to express my strong support for this decision, which will strengthen our military, enhance our readiness, and be another step toward fulfilling our nation’s founding ideals of fairness and equality. I congratulate our military, including the Joint Chiefs of Staff, for the rigor that they have brought to this process. As Commander in Chief, I am absolutely confident that—as with the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’—the professionalism of our armed forces will ensure a smooth transition and keep our military the very best in the world. Today, every American can be proud that our military will grow even stronger with our mothers, wives, sisters and daughters playing a greater role in protecting this country we love.

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Anonymous January 26, 2013 10:34 am (Pacific time)

Ralph, the makeover is already underway. The armed services are “now developing gender-neutral standards for all of their jobs,” reports the New York Times, replacing the less demanding physical standards for women that each branch has been using heretofore (oh, you mean you didn’t know about those lowered standards?) with a single standard for men and women. The Pentagon “has vowed” that the new gender-neutral standard will not be crafted in order to make it easier for women to join combat units. If you believe that, you probably also believe that colleges hire professors on a race- and gender-blind basis. Here’s how you create a single gender-neutral standard: You universally apply the existing one that was developed based on a sole criterion — combat readiness. What was wrong with the standard that men had to meet? Nothing, other than the fact that an insufficient number of women can pass it. Apart from the obvious problems of sexual attraction and rivalries while on a fast-moving mission, it is absurd to think that putting women into a group of men doesn’t radically change the dynamics of that group We obsessively celebrate “the sisterhood.” Strong women together create a special vibe and special power, we are told; thus the ongoing existence of all-female schools and clubs at a time when any remaining all-male organizations are in the crosshairs. The concept of male bonding, however, once glorified in epics and drama, is now viewed as simply exclusionary, of no value to society whatsoever. Note: My husband is a retired infantry officr who served for over 30 years. He and his associates are appalled, as are any combat experienced leaders, including infantry NCO's. Infantry is not like operating a joystick on an aircraft, but then the inexperienced and non-military always seem to have opinions based on nothing of real substance and experience.

Anonymous January 25, 2013 11:29 am (Pacific time)

You are a General of an infantry division and your Commander lets you choose one of two enemy divisions to fight. The first enemy division that you could choose to oppose in the upcoming battle is all male that did not compromise performance standards. Or you could instead choose to fight the second enemy division that is mixed with politically correct gender orientations, including both women and men. So which enemy division would you choose to fight? Maybe its time to move them to the front line and let them get a taste of real combat. Let them go on the View when its over. “There I was trying to scale this cliff with my 100 lbs. pack on and those a$$hole$ in my squad just left me there at the bottom. Can you believe that?”

Vic January 25, 2013 9:40 am (Pacific time)

American women rock ! They can give birth to their own children and then go kill other women's children. Youve got to respect a woman who can "clear" houses full of sleeping kids with fragmentation grenades, riddle minivans with families inside with 50 caliber bullets and invade, destry and murder right alongside any man. Youve come a long way, Baby...a long way towards Hell. This is disgusting.

Ralph E. Stone January 25, 2013 8:38 am (Pacific time)

Yes, a "new plan for America' where one of the last vestiges of sexism will be eliminated where under the guise of protecting the “weaker” or “fairer” sex, the armed forces discriminated against women by denying them the perks of serving in combat positions. After all, the criteria for selection to a combat job should not be based on a person’s sex but whether the person is qualified, capable, competent, and able to perform the job. Nothing more, nothing less. When a woman is properly trained, she can be as tough as any man.

Anonymous January 24, 2013 4:34 pm (Pacific time)

Yes Obama certainly has a plan for America.

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