U.S. Southern Command Gen. John F. Kelly
U.S. Southern Command Gen. John F. Kelly closed out his 45 year Marine Corps career by ringing a bell that he wants heard on Capitol Hill. It came at his last press conference from the Pentagon when asked to comment on Defense Secretary Ashton Carter’s planned implementation that every combat role without exception be opened to women.
Kelly responded that the only thing that should matter is what makes “us more lethal on the battlefield?” He expounded his answer by attacking the possibility of lowering standards in these roles in the future. Even though leaders and Congress have said standards will be kept high Kelly has one fear.
As women move into these roles, there will be questions by leaders and Congress why they are not moving up the ranks, receiving promotions or staying in these roles. This may inevitably lead to a lowering of the standards to make equality in leadership. He states “it will be very, very difficult to have any… real numbers come into the infantry or the Rangers or the Navy SEALs.” U.S. Southern Command Gen. John F. Kelly
Kelly further attacked those wanting to empower women through this agenda-priority in Washington stating it will lead to a lower of combat standards, not now, but at some point in the future.
On the other side of this conversation is one outspoken proponent of the Carter’s proposal, Rep. Tammy Duckworth, democrat for Illinois. As a retired Army National Guard Officer, Duckworth lost both legs and partial use of an arm while piloting a Black Hawk helicopter in Iraq.
Duckworth states “none of the women who are going to apply [and] meet the standards to serve in these units want the units to be less capable or less deadly.” She further stated that she is not surprised about a General stating comments along the lines of Kelly.
Duckworth admits not being able to make Ranger school, but knows there are a lot of guys that couldn’t either. “Whatever percentage of women can, even if it’s two percent, let them do the job!”
The discussion over skill exemptions put forth from the Marine Corps, the largest critic and naysayer about fully open and integrated gender training and combat roles, now goes before Congress for final decisions.
However even in Congress the debate is split between those that want to slightly modify Carter’s no-exception policy in opening all combat roles to woman and those that want all roles open to women that have the physical and mental toughness to do the job.
Currently about 10% of all military positions are closed to females totally almost 220,000 jobs. These positions are mainly infantry, reconnaissance, armor, and certain special operations units. So far the Marine Corps is the only military division to seek a skills-exemption for some front-line combat skill positions from gender integration arguing mixed gender units would be less capable in ground combat.
Even Duckworth admits that a women would need to be able to drag a 250lbs soldier (fully geared) while returning fire from their weapon to be able to meet the actual demands of ground combat, but agrees “If you can, and you’re ready to lay down your life for your country, good for you. Go do it.”
