Saying that America’s armed forces must draw from “the broadest possible pool of talent,” Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter, on December 3, 2015, ordered the U.S. military to open all combat jobs to women, with “no exceptions.”

Prior to this announcement, women were not precluded by law from serving in any military unit or specialty; however, a 1994 Department of Defense policy barred them from serving in combat. In January 2013, then-Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta directed each branch of the armed services to assess the impact of opening combat positions to women and to develop plans for integrating them into such roles. Only the Marines recommended keeping certain combat positions closed to women. Secretary Carter’s announcement means that now all combat roles will be gender-neutral.

“As long as they qualify and meet the standards, women will now be able to contribute to our mission in ways they could not before,” said Secretary Carter. “They’ll be able to drive tanks, give orders, lead infantry soldiers into combat.”

The decision was not a surprise, since despite the previous policy, many female servicemembers have been serving in combat environments, especially during in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts in which the lines between combat and noncombat roles have become increasingly blurred.

Congress will be reviewing the changes and may consider modifications. Generally, however, the reaction on Capitol Hill was positive.

“Today’s historic announcement finally recognizes that our military is strongest when it prioritizes merit and capability, not gender,” said Representative Martha McSally (AZR), one of four female Iraq War veterans serving in Congress.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (NY-D) said, “We are setting the military up for the greatest possible success by giving it access to the very best American has to offer, regardless of gender.”

One concern that has been raised is the issue of what physical standards should apply for each combat position and whether such standards would still give men an edge.

Another question is whether women should now be required to register with the Selective Service when they turn 18, as their male counterparts must do. Some say that women should be allowed, but not forced, into combat, while others argue that it would be unfair to permit women a choice that is not available to men.