There will be no exceptions. They'll be allowed to drive tanks, fire mortars, and lead infantry soliders into combat. They'll be able to serve as Army Rangers and Green Berets, Navy SEALs, Marine Corps infantry, Air Force parajumpers and everything else that was previously open only to men."
- Defense Secratary Ashton B. Carter

History was made in the American military when Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter stated at a news conference on Thursday, December 3rd, 2015, that the Pentagon would open all combat jobs to women.

The decision overturns a longstanding rule that had restricted women from combat roles, even though women have often found themselves in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan over the past 14 years.

Following racial integration in 1948, and lifting the ban on gay men and lesbians serving openly in the military in 2011. The longest march of inclusive steps by the military continues with the decision this week will open about 220,000 military jobs to women.

The Navy and Air Force have already begun almost all combat positions to women, and the Army has increasingly integrated its forces. The military faced a deadline set by the Obama administration three years ago to integrate women into all combat jobs by January or ask for specific exemptions.

A retired Army major, named Jonathan Silk, who served in Afghanistan and Iraq as a cavalry scout, discussed the unexpected extended period of combat with no clear enemy lines may have been a driver for the change. Silk said in the fray of insurgency, integrated military police units near him faced horrific attacks,

"I encountered some female soldiers that were in the same firefights as us, facing the sam horrible stuff, even if they weren't technically in combat units. They could fight just as well as I could, and some of those women were tremendous leaders. It gave me such respect."