CMC to Marines on gender integration: 'It's time to move out'

http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/2015/12/07/cmc-marines-gender-integration-s-time-move-out/76920890/

CMC to Marines on gender integration: 'It's time to move out'

By Matthew L. Schehl, Staff writer 5:48 p.m. EST December 7, 2015


The Marines' top general has put out the call for his troops to get behind the Defense Department's move to open all combat arms jobs to women.

Commandant Gen. Robert Neller released a video message to Marines Friday — one day after Defense Secretary Ash Carter held a Pentagon press conference announcing his decision to lift gender-based restrictions throughout the military. Neller stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the top enlisted Marine to announce that the Corps will immediately begin "full integration of [the] force."
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Carter made his decision despite requests for exception to gender integration by Gen. Joseph Dunford, who served as the Marine commandant until September, when he became the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
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The recommendations put the Corps at odds with both the Navy and Army, which have been strongly in favor of gender integration.

“While the Marine Corps asked for a partial exception in some areas ... we are a joint force, and I have decided to make a decision which applies to the entire force,” Carter said at the briefing.
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Carter’s decision opens about 220,000 combat arms positions to women, mostly in Army and Marine infantry and armor military occupational specialties. In 2016, the positions will be open to anyone who is able to meet their gender-neutral performance standards.
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