BANGOR, Maine — U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter’s announcement that he is ordering the military to open all combat jobs to women won’t have much of an effect in Maine because most of its positions already were open to women, the acting adjutant general for the Maine National Guard said Thursday.
“Only one unit in the Maine Army National Guard was previously closed to females as it is an infantry company,” said Brig. Gen. Gerard F. Bolduc. “These positions were already scheduled to be open to females in 2016.”
Bolduc applauded Carter’s announcement.
“I have the highest confidence that women will excel in these newly opened positions as they are, and have been, indispensable to the national security mission,” he said.
As it stands, Maine has 474 Guard members who are women, 192 of them members of the Maine Air National Guard and another 282 serving in the Maine Army National Guard, according to Maj. Norman Stickney, spokesman for the Maine National Guard.
Sen. Susan Collins and Rep. Chellie Pingree also praised the move.
“This announcement affirms what history has proven to be true: character, courage, physical fitness and commitment to the mission are the hallmarks of extraordinary service members and leaders, and that both men and women possess these qualities,” Collins said.
“Secretary Carter’s decision will improve our military readiness and help our Armed Forces recruit the most talented individuals throughout all of our services,” she said.
Pingree offered the following statement:
“The Pentagon has made the right decision in opening every job in the military to women,” Pingree said.
“Women have already served bravely and capably while wearing the uniform of the American military in some of the most dangerous spots on earth,” she said. “They have proven themselves over and over again, and it’s high time we stopped banning them from key jobs and opportunities in the Armed Forces.”