There were mixed reactions to Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter’s announcement on Thursday that the military would open all positions to women.
Arizona Rep. Martha McSallt praised the decision while U.S. Senator John McCain and U.S. Representative Mac Thornberry, Chairmen of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees, called for a review.
“Secretary Carter’s decision to open all combat positions to women will have a consequential impact on our service-members and our military’s war fighting capabilities. The Congress has an essential Constitutional role to make rules for the government and regulation of our nation’s armed forces. Moreover, by law, the Congress has a 30-day period to review the implications of today’s decision. The Senate and House Armed Services Committees intend to carefully and thoroughly review all relevant documentation related to today’s decision, including the 1,000-page Marine Integrated Task Force report,” said McCain and Thornberry in a joint statement.
“We expect the Department to send over its implementation plans as quickly as possible to ensure our Committees have all the information necessary to conduct proper and rigorous oversight. We also look forward to receiving the Department’s views on any changes to the Selective Service Act that may be required as a result of this decision,” the two concluded.
McSally, a former USAF pilot, said the announcement was :historic.” She said it “finally recognizes that our military is strongest when it prioritizes merit and capability, not gender – and it’s about damn time. 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. I’ll continue to work with my colleagues to oversee the integration process and ensure our force’s readiness with our most capable men and women.”