US to open all combat jobs to women

The Associated Press has learned that Defence Secretary Ash Carter will order the military to open all combat jobs to women, and is giving the armed services until January 1 to submit plans to make the historic change.

Carter's announcement is expected later on Thursday.

It rebuffs arguments from the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman that the Marine Corps should be allowed to exclude women from certain front-line combat jobs, citing studies showing that mixed-gender units aren't as capable as all-male units.

A senior defence official says all the services will have to begin putting plans in place by April 1.

The official was not authorised to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Source: AP