The pentagon announced Thursday the lifting of a ban on women serving in combat. With the policy reversal, women will have the opportunity to serve in combat if they meet certain "gender-neutral standards."
Missouri Sen. Roy Blunt said the decision will provide women with a chance to qualify for more front line positions — just like men.
“Not every woman will want to volunteer and be a part of the forward combat units, nor does every man," Blunt told reporters. "Not every woman will meet the physical requirements of those units, nor does every man. I actually think it’s going to work out just fine.”
Blunt, who serves on the Senate’s Armed Services Committee, said the decision was inevitable given how the military has progressed in recent history. He said women have increasingly served in more combat roles.
U.S. Secretary of defense Leon Panetta said he believes women have become an integral part of the military's ability to succeed.
President Barack Obama said he is confident this decision along with the repeal of the ban on gays in the military will keep the U.S. military the very best in the world.
