Page 26 - Desert Lightning News 2-5-16

26 February 5, 2016 Desert Lightning News

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Officials describe plans to integrate women into combat roles

Terri Moon Cronk The Marine Corps also is ceasing force rigorous combat readiness stan- Corps’ Integration ‘Responsible’
its tradition as the only service branch dards, remain a merit-based results-ori- When Defense Secretary Ash Carter
DoD News, Defense Media Activity that separates men and women in boot ented organization and apply no quotas on Dec. 3, 2015 opened all military oc-
camp, he added. and no pressure.” cupations and positions to women, in-
WASHINGTON — Senior Army, cluding combat roles,the Marines Corps
Navy and Marine Corps officials out- Smaller Army Needs Maximizing To do so, the Army will put in place began integrating all qualified Marines
lined plans to integrate women into “As our Army gets smaller, our suc- a “very deliberate methodical and trans- into previously closed MOSs in a well-
combat roles before the Senate Armed cess increasingly depends upon our parent process,” Milley said. planned responsible manner” based on
Forces Committee today, and agreed ability to maximize the contributions Corps’ research, Neller said in his written
incorporating women into combat of every volunteer that fills our ranks,” Milley called the Army’s methodical statement submitted to the committee.
ranks is the right path for the future. Murphy said. “A soldier’s ability to meet approach to gender-neutral training for all “We have already awarded addi-
established standards that contribute to Army officers, noncommissioned officers tional MOSs to all Marines who earned
Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, Army our success will remain our overriding and junior enlisted members the leader- it through primary MOS-producing
Undersecretary Patrick J. Murphy, factor moving forward.” ship’s first principle to ensure success. schools,” he said, “and two female sec-
Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Mil- And to take advantage of America’s ond lieutenants are now undergoing
ley and Marine Corps Commandant diverse and deep talents, the Army be- “Female cadets and officer candidates MOS training at the field artillery offi-
Gen. Robert B. Neller updated commit- gan its integration efforts several years who meet the gender-neutral standard cer basic course.”
tee members on the services’ integra- ago, leading to three primary conclu- will be given the opportunity to request Marines who were awarded addi-
tion efforts. sions, he said: either infantry or armor branches” by tional MOS qualifications also can now
-- Every soldier will have the opportu- spring, he said, adding that every active- request formal reclassification for com-
Marine Corps leadership has nity to compete for every position to in- duty infantry, armor and field artillery bat- bat arms designation, he said.
“thoughtful and deliberate plans” to ex- clude infantry, armor and Special Forces; talion today already has women soldiers. “The Marine Corps is a learning or-
ecute the transition effectively, Mabus -- The Army’s high individual stan- ganization,” Neller said in his written
said, adding the 231 female Marines dards performance and professional “It is my professional judgement that statement. “We will evaluate the success
who successfully completed the ground conduct will continue to be based on some women can perform every single of our plan and inform in-stride adjust-
combat arms military occupational spe- requirements of the position and noth- job in the United States Army to include ments throughout this ongoing process
cialty training can immediately switch ing else; and infantry, armor and special forces,” Mil- as we recruit, train, develop, deploy and
to those previously closed jobs. -- Enforcing the standards fairly and ley said. “Army leaders will continue to retain the highest-quality force.”
objectively will remain the guiding prin- assess [integration] and we will adjust
The secretary said because the inte- ciple for mission success. the process [so] our standards in com-
gration process includes training and Murphy said he’s confident that inte- bat readiness are maintained. You, the
education evaluation at every level grating women into combat roles, while committee, have my word on this.”
from recruits to the highest levels of underpinned by strong leadership, will
leadership, implementing that policy increase Army readiness.
was a priority. “We will continue to monitor and re-
port the lessons we learn so the Army
And while “suggestions” have been can collectively integrate the force and
made to lower standards for female Ma- share our experiences,” he said.
rines to meet quotas, Mabus emphasized Murphy added, “The Army is pre-
it’s “an unacceptable notion” for every Ma- pared to act and benefit from integra-
rine, especially those women who choose tion -- now.”
to compete for those positions. No Quotas, No Pressure
Fully integrating women into the
“It’s unacceptable under the law, to Army will “maintain, sustain or im-
me, [and] to every other senior leader in prove” overall readiness, Milley said.
the Pentagon because it would endan- To be successful in this endeavor, he
ger not only the safety of Marines, but said, the Army must “maintain and en-
the safety of our nation,” he said.

“Standards can never be lowered for
any group or any job. Standards will
evolve as threats evolve, but they will
evolve for everyone equally,” Mabus said.

From WOW, Page 22 When her tour as the Special Victim’s Counsel is over, Candelario is
looking forward to increasing her job knowledge by working as a Deputy
to 8th Air Force. She also performed exceptionally during a recent subject Staff Judge Advocate at a high tempo operational base. Eventually, she
matter expert exchange in Guatemala.” also hopes to be selected to attend a Master of Laws program studying
Procurement or Labor Law.
Candelario’s performance and dedication has been recognized at all
levels of command and has resulted in her recently being selected as the Warfighter of the Week is an opportunity for the Airmen throughout
Special Victims’ Counsel at Davis-Monthan AFB, starting Feb. 1. 12th AF (AFSOUTH) to share their story. The Warfighter of the Week ini-
tiative aligns with the 12th AF (AFSOUTH) commander’s priority of cre-
“The Judge Advocate General Lt. Gen. Christopher Burne selected Can- ating a work environment where someone knows you both professionally
delario to join the Air Force’s cadre of Special Victims’ Counsel and will be and personally. These outstanding Airmen are selected by their directors
the sole Special Victims’ Counsel for Davis-Monthan,” said Lewis. “While based on their contributions to the Air Force’s mission.
there she’ll be able to provide advocacy and independent representation
to military members and dependents who are victims of sexual assault
both at D-M and other bases in the Western U.S.”