US to open elite military fighting units to women
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Washington - Women in the US military will soon be able to serve in elite fighting units, such as the Navy SEALS and Army Rangers, positions previously open only to men, the military said Tuesday.
The US Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines released plans to open occupations such as infantry, armour and special operations by 2016.
The US military said in January it would open combat positions to women, ending long-standing automatic exclusions that kept them from most jobs that put them directly in the fight. It had however not yet announced which jobs would be open to women.
"I remain confident that we will retain the trust and confidence of the American people by opening positions to women, while ensuring that all members entering these newly opened positions can meet the standards required to maintain our warfighting capability," Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel said in a memo to the heads of each military branch and others at the Pentagon.//DPA
