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Army Gen. Ann Dunwoody, (Ret.), on the decision to allow women to serve in combat roles in the U.S. military.
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Well my next guest became the country's first female four star general back in 2008.
We wanted to her perspective on the Pentagon's plans to allow women in combat and we're pleased to have -- -- tonight general and Dunwoody.
Retired commanding general of the U S army materiel command.
General good good to have you here in your thoughts.
Is.
From your perspective.
What this means for polls but first the army itself -- for the country.
Good evening -- first.
I think it's a great decision it's a good decision the timing is right.
And I think this decision now -- policy.
With the current realities on today's battlefield.
And -- the realities on today's battlefield include more technologically.
Its.
-- but still -- requirements for special operations special forces infantry.
In your judgment as.
Is commander.
Is a leader of tens of thousands of our troops.
Do you believe that women will have soon a role in such.
-- in such elements of our.
Of our army and other branches.
I believe these policy it is the way.
And as the chairman and the sec Def laid out.
That there is an assessment face and a revision of the current town.
Analysts is military operations specialties.
Where they're revisit the standards are required for each one of those military operational specialties.
And by doing so they will ensure that those women and -- Who are applying for the project -- specialties will meet those qualifications so they have the desire and the qualifications without compromising -- standards.
Not many people in this argument and debate -- hopefully just final discussion.
Up ahead have decided the Israelis.
-- -- men and women.
Served shoulder to shoulder in nearly every role in their military.
Can you think of a reason why it should not be so in the united states military.
No I cannot think in any reason and and I of I've heard the naysayers and I and I know there are many out there that believe this cannot be done without compromising those standards.
But having served almost thirty years in an institution where I have lived and seen change throughout my career.
And I can assure you being one of the very first women officers who had the opportunity to attend airborne school.
And you can imagine the looks on this and the instructors is not a popular decision.
But I can assure you is that having that opportunity to go to airborne school and people say why do you want to jump out of perfectly good airplanes well.
It was exciting in -- -- -- challenging.
As so I had the opportunity do that but by having that opportunity.
That later opened the door for me to serve in the esteemed 82 airborne division in command there.
I had the opportunity go to jump after school that is a very prestigious and demanding school.
Primarily -- male domain at the time.
I was the only female in the class surrounded by special forces folks.
But you know they didn't change of standards that's of responsibility.
Of and charge of you know.
Airborne operations in people's lives depend on on your ability to have to leave their it's I've seen change and -- had been an opportunity.
I was able to command an airborne parachute -- to catch me in Germany dropped them.
Air dropping on pair shooting non-GAAP zones all over Germany.
And then to be assigned to the division parachute officers slot in the 82 airborne division that was previously alcohol -- coated.
Position we really what opportunities.
We can we have put it this way.
You were commanding.
One of the army is sort of -- -- chronicles decorated.
Commands the 82.
A commander of Russia.
Most men and not gain interest we thank you very much we appreciate -- journal good to talk -- come back soon.
Thank you thank you Lou have a great evening thank you too much more.
