Martha McSally: Lifting the ban 'increases military effectiveness'
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PHOENIX -
The U.S. Department of Defense announced this week it is lifting a ban on women serving in combat positions. The move means more than 230,000 positions in the Army, Navy and Marines can now be filled by women.
These roles are on and off the battlefield.
Former congressional candidate and retired Air Force colonel Martha McSally joined us to discuss this groundbreaking moment.
"You'd have a highly qualified female intelligence officer that just couldn't be assigned in a ground combat battalion because it was restricted," said McSally. "...This increases our military effectiveness by allowing us to recruit from 100 percent of the population... this was the right thing to do for America and for our national security and to make sure we have the most efficient, effective fighting force."
Women make up about 14 percent of the U.S. military.
Video: Press play to hear more of what she had to say.
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