Defense Secretary Leon Panetta Opens Combat Positions to Women
By: Ali Touhey
Updated: January 24, 2013
Alexandra Shields works out for her health. But, her physical fitness could soon be at play protecting our country.
The 27-year-old enlisted in the Navy. She leaves for basic training in less than two weeks.
"The fact of the matter is there are a lot of women that can't even do one pull up," said Shields. "That would be a problem in a combat zone."
That's why Shields trains daily at Monroe County Crossfit.
She wants to be on the frontlines if and when she's sent overseas.
"I guess I don't feel like a woman's life is any more valuable than a man's.I feel it's my obligation as an enlisted part of our armed forces to do that."
Army Reservist Chelsea Lahna agrees. Although she has some reservations about the change.Mainly, the current difference in fitness requirements between men and women.
For example, men must run two miles in under 15:54. Women have 18:54 to complete the task.
A man must also be able to do 42 push-ups in two minutes. Women only need 19.
"You translate that into battle and someone that can only do 19 push-ups? I don't know that they can come over pick me up and carry me out of there."
Military officials will look into that as they begin to implement the change. Lahna would like to see the bar raised for women.
"That's possible. I can do the men's push-up's no problem and I think that all women should have to do that too if they are going to be in combat."
Military services now have until May 15 to submit a plan on how they will comply by 2016. That plan will guide how quickly the new combat jobs open up and what positions may still remain off limits to women.
