Success: Military Opens All Positions to Women

Target: Defense Secretary Ashton Carter

Goal: Applaud gender equality in the military, allowing women to hold positions that were once only open to men.

Thanks in part to petitions like ForceChange’s Demand Equality for Women in the Military, the U.S. Military will open all positions, including frontline combat roles, to women. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said that although there may be physical differences between men and women, women can still meet the requirements and qualify for these roles just as some men may not be able to meet the requirements and qualify.

Women will now be allowed to serve as Army Rangers and Green Berets, Navy SEALS, Marine Corps infantry, Air Force parajumpers, and will also be able to drive tanks, fire mortars, and lead infantry soldiers into combat. These positions were previously only open to men.

The U.S. military is currently made up of 1.34 million active-duty personnel and about 15.6 percent of them are women. People of varied types and backgrounds help to strengthen organizations and give them advantages they may not have had before. Applaud this move towards equality and the new opportunities women will have in the military.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Secretary Carter,

I am writing to applaud your announcement that the U.S. Military is opening up all positions to women. In the past, Army Rangers and Green Berets, Navy SEALS, Marine Corps infantry, and Air Force parajumpers were positions only open to men. If women can qualify for these positions, they should be able to perform them regardless of their gender. Now this is reality and women can work towards whatever they want to do in the military.

Gender equality is vital in all areas of our country, and this move is a hugely positive step towards ensuring true gender equality for all. Thank you and I hope you continue to ensure women have the same rights as men.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo credit: The U.S. Army