Today, the Defense Department released the U.S. military services’ and U.S. Special Operations Command’s plans for implementing women into previously closed positions. 

             These plans, which were reviewed by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey, outline how the services and U.S. Special Operations Command will manage the incremental opening of these previously closed positions.

             The successful integration of women into currently closed positions requires the department to be thoughtful and deliberate in determining the next steps.  The department will proceed in a measured and responsible way to open positions to women.  In all cases, notification to Congress is required prior to opening these positions.  Full implementation by the services should occur by Jan. 1, 2016.

             The secretary’s memo is available at:  http://www.defense.gov/news/SecDefWISRMemo.pdf

             The U.S. Army’s plan is available at:  http://www.defense.gov/news/ArmyWISRImplementationPlan.pdf

             The U.S. Navy’s plan is available at: http://www.defense.gov/news/NavyWISRImplementationPlan.pdf

             The U.S. Air Force’s plan is available at: http://www.defense.gov/news/Air_ForceWISRImplementationPlan.pdf

             The U.S. Marine Corps’ plan is available at:  http://www.defense.gov/news/MarineCorpsWISRImplementationPlan.pdf

             The U.S. Special Operations Command’s plan is available at:  http://www.defense.gov/news/SOCOMWISRImplementationPlan.pdf

             The decision to rescind the 1994 Direct Ground Combat Definition and Assignment Rule for women was originally announced Jan. 24, 2013, by former Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Gen. Dempsey.