Pentagon to open combat jobs to women

Defense secretary to make announcement Thursday

Published On: Jan 24 2013 04:49:15 AM EST Updated On: Jan 24 2013 06:18:29 AM EST

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta will announce that the U.S. is ending its policy of excluding women from combat and will open jobs and direct combat units to female troops.

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--SUPERS--:08-:14Dept. of Defense :27-:33MOSU.S. Army :45-:55Rep. Tammy Duckworth(D) Illinois 
--LEAD IN--Major changes are coming for women serving in the Army and the Marines.The Pentagon is lifting its ban on women in combat.Ed Payne has the story. 
--REPORTER PKG-AS FOLLOWS--DEFENSE SECRETARY LEON PANETTA WILL MAKE THE ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY.THE PENTAGON IS OPENING DIRECT COMBAT JOBS TO WOMEN.WOMEN ARE ALREADY SERVING -- AND DYING -- OVERSEAS. MANY OF THEM HAVE BEEN DRAWN INTO BATTLE BECAUSE THERE ARE OFTEN NO CLEAR FRONT LINES.AT LEAST 130 FEMALE TROOPS WERE KILLED IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN AND MORE THAN 800 WERE WOUNDED.WOMEN ALREADY SERVING IN THE MILITARY THINK THE DECISION IS LONG OVERDUE.You've got a bunch of strong, capable, awesome women who can take any challenge that's thrown at us.CRITICS SAY WOMEN WON'T BE ABLE TO MEET THE PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND IT COULD WEAKEN THE MILITARY.ILLINOIS CONGRESSWOMAN TAMMY DUCKWORTH, AN IRAQ WAR VETERAN, BELIEVES WOMEN SHOULD BE GIVEN A FAIR SHOT.If they can meet the standards, then we've just gained another soldier who is willing to serve this nation and willing to lay their lives down in a combat role and that's good for our military. NOT EVERY COMBAT POSITION WILL OPEN ALL AT ONCE. THE NEW POLICY WILL BE IMPLEMENTED OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS.AND BRANCHES CAN ASK FOR SPECIFIC EXEMPTIONS.I'M ED PAYNE REPORTING.--TAG--This will be one of the last significant policy decisions made by Panetta, who is expected to leave his post next month.Former Senator Chuck Hagel, Panetta's nominated replacement, has been told about the announcement. 
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