All Military Jobs Should Be Open to Women, Including Those in the Marine Corps. No Exceptions
January 2013 directives by DoD Secretary Panetta/JCS Chairman Dempsey rescinded the 1994 ban on women serving in direct ground combat. Under the directives, gender neutral occupational standards must be validated and in place by September 2015. Integration of women is to occur as expeditiously as possible but not later than January 1, 2016. If any Service wishes to request that any MOS or unit remain closed, that request must be personally approved by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and then by the Secretary of Defense, and be “narrowly tailored and based on a rigorous analysis of factual data regarding the knowledge, skills and abilities needed for the position.” Under DoD guidance, any exceptions are to be requested by the end of September 2015.