Missouri Senator Roy Blunt says he supports women serving in combat roles in the military. The Republican called the move "inevitable."
Blunt told reporters in a phone conference on Thursday that he agrees with Defense Secretary Leon Panetta’s decision to allow women to hold combat roles in the military.
According to Senator Blunt, the decision to allow women to occupy combative roles was expected, as women currently serving in the military are already likely to serve in combat positions.
“I actually think it’s probably going to work out just fine,” Blunt said. “The way the military works today, I think it was an inevitable conclusion for the military to reach.”
This week’s decision will overturn the 1994 ban on women serving in combative roles.
Although Blunt supports Panetta’s decision, he is still uncertain of President Obama’s nomination of former Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel for Defense Secretary.
According to Senator Blunt, Hagel has rescinded several former stances on foreign policy issues regarding the Middle East.
Blunt noted the Defense Secretary job’s importance in shaping the United States military’s future. He is skeptical of how former senator Hagel may or may not perform on the job.
“I have the normal concerns that have been out there in every article about Iran and Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah. He seems to have backed away from those positions,” Blunt said.
Blunt remains guarded in his decision-making, but he is not writing Hagel off yet. He plans to talk with Hagel about his concerns in order to better understand his viewpoints and plans before deciding.
