By the Numbers - Dec. 21, 2015
213,600
The number of remaining closed positions, comprising 52 military occupational specialties, that will be opened up to women via a December 3 memorandum (PDF) signed by Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter. Most of these specialties are in Army and Marine Corps infantry/armor units. In his memorandum, Ash directed the secretaries of all military departments and chiefs of military departments "to provide their final, detailed plans" for integrating women into these positions by January 1, 2016. According to the memorandum:
Positions will be open for accession as soon as practicable following the congressional notification period and in accordance with final approved service implementation plans. The Services will be prepared to execute those plans not later than April 1, 2016.
In September, the Marine Corps had requested "a partial exemption in areas that included infantry, machine gunner, fire support reconnaissance and others," Ash said, but "we are a joint force and I have decided to make a decision which applies to the entire force.”
Fact Sheet: Women in Service Review (WISR) Implementation (PDF)
Fact Sheet: Positions to Be Opened (PDF)
Women in Service Studies
213,600
The number of remaining closed positions, comprising 52 military occupational specialties, that will be opened up to women via a December 3 memorandum (PDF) signed by Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter. Most of these specialties are in Army and Marine Corps infantry/armor units. In his memorandum, Ash directed the secretaries of all military departments and chiefs of military departments "to provide their final, detailed plans" for integrating women into these positions by January 1, 2016. According to the memorandum:
Positions will be open for accession as soon as practicable following the congressional notification period and in accordance with final approved service implementation plans. The Services will be prepared to execute those plans not later than April 1, 2016.
In September, the Marine Corps had requested "a partial exemption in areas that included infantry, machine gunner, fire support reconnaissance and others," Ash said, but "we are a joint force and I have decided to make a decision which applies to the entire force.”
Fact Sheet: Women in Service Review (WISR) Implementation (PDF)
Fact Sheet: Positions to Be Opened (PDF)
Women in Service Studies