Bill Text: NJ AR148 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Supports rescission of direct combat exclusion rule by Secretary of Defense for women in Armed Forces of United States.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-02-11 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee [AR148 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-AR148-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman ANGEL FUENTES
District 5 (Camden and Gloucester)
SYNOPSIS
Supports rescission of direct combat exclusion rule by Secretary of Defense for women in Armed Forces of United States.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution supporting the rescission of the direct combat exclusion rule by the Secretary of Defense for women in the Armed Forces of the United States.
Whereas, Women have been serving in the Armed Forces of the United States in ever increasing numbers with ever increasing responsibilities; and
Whereas, The number of women who have deployed during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan totals over 280,000 and the total number of women who are active duty members of the Armed Forces of the United States as a percentage of the total number of active duty members has increased from one percent to nearly 15 percent, or by approximately 1,400 percent, since 1970; and
Whereas, For more than a decade in the Iraq and Afghanistan war, women have been serving unofficially in direct ground combat regardless of the 1994 Direct Ground Combat Definition and Assignment Rule that bars women from assignment to units below the brigade level for direct ground combat and limits women from positions with physically demanding tasks and special operations and being stationed with combat troops; and
Whereas, More than 800 women have been wounded and more than 130 have died serving their country in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars; and
Whereas, The United States Department of Defense recognizes the bravery and contributions of women in direct ground combat situations; and
Whereas, Under the Department of Defense's guiding principles to ensure the success of the nations' warfighting forces, to ensure that all service men and women are given the opportunity to succeed, to retain the trust and confidence of the American people, and to validate occupational performance standards, both physical and mental, for all military occupational specialties, the eligibility for training and development within designated occupational fields should consist of qualitative and quantifiable standards reflecting the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for each occupation regardless of gender; and
Whereas, Even though the physical, emotional, and psychological requirements to be deemed combat ready are strict, there are women who meet and exceed those standards; and
Whereas, Given the long history of women serving in the Armed Forces of the United States and their record of accomplishment in serving not only in non-combat but also in direct ground combat situations, lifting the direct combat exclusion will give women the same access to opportunities, protections, and benefits afforded the men with whom they serve and allow them to be fully and officially recognized for their contributions; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House supports the rescission of the direct combat exclusion rule by the Secretary of Defense for women in the Armed Forces of the United States.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested to by the Clerk thereof, shall be transmitted to the Secretary of Defense.
STATEMENT
This Assembly resolution supports the rescission of the direct combat exclusion rule by the Secretary of Defense for women in the Armed Forces of the United States.
