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Post by bot on Dec 3, 2015 20:52:44 GMT -5
Hoyer Statement on Defense Department Announcement
WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) released the following statement today on the Defense Department's announcement that every military occupation specialty is now open to women:
“Today’s decision by Defense Secretary Carter to open every military occupation specialty to women will strengthen our Armed Forces and help ensure that it reflects the American value of equal opportunity. This change comes on the heels of an exhaustive performance review and after more than 280,000 women served with distinction in Iraq and Afghanistan. Every individual with the capability, courage, and skill ought to have a chance to wear the uniform and serve under our flag. I continue to be incredibly proud of our military and the way it is evolving to meet the threats of the twenty-first century by becoming more reflective of the nation it serves.
“Now that the Pentagon has concluded that our military will be made stronger by allowing women and men the opportunity to prove themselves ready for any service occupation, I hope more highly capable and qualified women will choose to pursue service in our Armed Forces and bring their talents and tenacity to the work of defending this nation and its core principles. Just as when the military was desegregated in 1948 and when I helped lead an effort in Congress to end the discriminatory ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy in 2010, this will be a day long remembered with pride by service-members and by all Americans.”
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