Overnight Defense: Pentagon opens all combat jobs to women

by Kristina Wong - 12/03/15 6:55 PM ET

THE TOPLINE: Defense Secretary Ash Carter on Thursday announced he was opening all combat jobs to women without any exceptions, including for the infantry and special operations.

“There will be no exceptions,” Carter stressed at a briefing, adding that meant women could serve as Army Rangers, Green Berets and Navy SEALs.

“The important factor in making my decision was to have access to every American who can add strength to the joint force,” Carter said, adding that women have seen combat throughout the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

{mosads}Notably absent from the announcement was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford, who as Marine Corps commandant recommended that Marine infantry remain closed to women.

Carter said he and Dunford had discussed the issue “many, many times,” and that it was his decision, so it made sense for him to announce it.

“He will be a full part of implementation,” Carter said. “My decision is my decision.”

Carter said “mission effectiveness” and “high standards” were most important, but that “fairness is also important.”

Then-Defense Secretary Leon Panetta in 2013 lifted the ban on women serving in combat jobs that were previously closed to them, but he gave the services until early 2016 to request exceptions.

Since Panetta’s decision, 11,000 combat positions had been opened to women, including on submarines. The Army opened its male-only elite Ranger School to women earlier this year after two women passed the course.

But approximately 10 percent of combat positions had remained closed to women, including in the infantry, armor, reconnaissance, and special operations.

President Obama on Thursday touted his administration’s decision to open all combat roles to women as a change that will strengthen the nation’s armed forces.

“As commander in chief, I know that this change, like others before it, will again make our military even stronger,” Obama said in a statement.

The president likened the historic shift to ending racial segregation in the military and repealing the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy that barred openly gay and lesbian individuals from serving.

Women have “time and again have proven that they, too, are qualified, ready and up to the task,” the president said, adding that “in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, our courageous women in uniform have served with honor, on the front lines — and some have given their very lives.”

The decision on whether to open all combat jobs had not been expected to come until early next year, and is likely to stir controversy.

Critics say opening combat jobs to women could reduce military effectiveness, and lead to increased cases of sexual assault.

The opening of combat jobs to women has also raised the question of whether all women are eligible for the draft — something Carter said is now the subject of litigation.

The military services have 30 days to implement the decision, per a congressional waiting period, he said.

“I’m confident the department can implement this successfully,” Carter said.

FEMALE LAWMAKERS APPLAUD COMBAT DECISION: The reaction from Capitol Hill on Carter’s decision to open all combat jobs to women has been positive so far, from both sides of the aisle.

“Today’s historic announcement finally recognizes that our military is strongest when it prioritizes merit and capability, not gender — and it’s about damn time,” Rep. Martha McSally (R-Ariz.) said in a written statement.

“Women have been fighting and dying for our country since its earliest wars,” added McSally, a retired Air Force colonel and the first female pilot to fly in combat and command a combat squadron. “They have shown they can compete with the best of the best and succeed.”

Democrats echoed McSally’s sentiment, but cautioned there’s more work to be done to ensure equality.

Rep. Niki Tsongas (D-Mass.) said the decision was long overdue and will allow women to take on more leadership roles in the military. Still, she added, the military must do more to fully support women.

“[A]s the doors open to servicewomen and a greater talent pool is tapped, the military must find ways to support all those who wear the uniform,” she said. “This necessitates addressing women’s health matters and developing equipment and policies that increase women’s safety and success on and off the battlefield. Supporting military women is essential to building the strongest military possible.”

Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) was also concerned about providing adequate healthcare, as well as addressing sexual assault in the military.

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said opening all jobs to women will help the military with readiness and recruitment.

“This announcement affirms what history has proven to be true: character, courage, physical fitness and commitment to the mission are the hallmarks of extraordinary service members and leaders, and that both men and women possess these qualities,” she said in a written statement.

ARMED SERVICES PANELS TO REVIEW: The chairmen of the House and Senate Armed Services committees will review the Pentagon’s decision to open all combat jobs to women, citing Congress’s “constitutional role to make rules” for the military.

Defense Secretary Ashton Carter’s “decision to open combat positions to women will have a consequential impact on our service members and our military’s warfighting capabilities,” Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas) said in a joint statement Thursday.

“The Congress has an essential constitutional role to make rules for the government and regulation of our nation’s armed forces.”

GRAHAM PITCHES ISIS WAR BILL: Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) is introducing a wide-ranging war authorization bill against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), suggesting the Paris terrorist attacks underscore the need for new legislation.

“I am advocating to be all-in regarding ISIL,” the GOP presidential candidate told reporters, using an alternative acronym for the group. “Right now, there’s a doubt and a debate about what authority the president has regarding ISIL.”

Graham’s proposal would have no limits on using ground troops against the terrorist organization — a provision that will likely gain quick pushback from Democrats — as well as no expiration date.

He added the war bill would allow U.S. troops to combat the terrorist group “anytime, anywhere, using any means consistent with our values until they’re defeated.”

The legislation would also place no limitations on the administration’s ability to target ISIS’s online activities, including online recruitment and communications.

But Graham’s legislation faces an uphill battle in Congress, where an Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) against the terrorist group has failed to gain momentum.

Graham added Thursday that it’s fine if his colleagues don’t agree with him — but he wants a vote.

“I don’t know where the votes would be, quite frankly. I know where the arguments are in terms of Lindsey Graham,” he said. “If you don’t agree with what I’m doing, fine, just vote on it.”

ARMY PROBES DISCHARGES: The Army is investigating allegations it discharged thousands of soldiers for misconduct after they were diagnosed with mental health issues.

The investigation comes after 12 Democratic senators called for a probe in a letter to Army officials last month.

“We strive to have a process that is fair, objective and deliberate, and that ensures due process and the maintenance of good order and discipline within the ranks,” acting Army Secretary Eric Fanning wrote in a letter to Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Thursday.

“Nevertheless, I appreciate the concerns you raised in your letter and take them very seriously.”

Fanning has directed the assistant secretary of the Army for manpower and reserve affairs to lead a review of the allegations. The review team will also include the inspector general of the Army and the auditor general of the Army and will work closely with the Government Accountability Office, Fanning wrote.

“We will follow up with you upon conclusion of this review,” he added.

The issue was first raised in an NPR and Colorado Public Radio report in October. The Army allegedly discharged more than 22,000 soldiers since 2009 for “misconduct” after they returned from Afghanistan or Iraq and were diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or traumatic brain injuries (TBI).

After the NPR story, Murphy led a group of 11 other senators in asking Fanning and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley for an investigation.

ICYMI:

— GOP lawmaker wants to withhold funds to nuclear watchdog over Iran

— McCain eyes reform of ‘archaic‘ military personnel system

— Former Pentagon chief: US shares blame for poor relations with Russia

— IG: Pentagon task force spent $150M on villas, security guards in Afghanistan

— Left wary of Obama’s ISIS escalation

Please send tips and comments to Kristina Wong, kwong@digital-staging.thehill.com, and Rebecca Kheel, rkheel@digital-staging.thehill.com