Defense Secretary-nominee James Mattis said he has “no plan to oppose women in any aspect of our military” when asked for his views on women in combat during his confirmation hearing on Thursday.
Mattis, a retired Marine general who was a legendary battlefield commander, said in written answers to questions that he is unsure whether Defense Secretary Ash Carter’s decision was based on an adequate review of the data on the performance of women in frontline combat operations.
“I have not personally reviewed the data and analysis that Secretary Carter had available to him before he made a decision on this issue. For that reason, I cannot characterize whether the review was adequate,” Mattis said in his written response provided to the Senate Armed Services Committee considering his nomination Thursday.
But under questioning from Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., he came out stronger on the issue, and said as long as service members meet the standards, they should serve.
“The standards are the standards,” Mattis testified, “and when people meet the standards then that’s the end of the discussion on that.”
Mattis noted that women make up more than 15 percent of the U.S. military, and drawing on their talents helps to maintain high recruiting standards.
“Where they can best serve, that’s where they go,” Mattis said.
“If confirmed, I will study the rationale and implementation of occupational standards across each of the services,” Mattis said in his written testimony.
Gillibrand questioned Mattis on previous statements he’s made that show Mattis has previously thought full integration can’t work.
“I was not in position to go back into government when I made those statements,” he said, adding that policies have been enacted in subsequent years that have addressed issues. “I’m not coming in looking for a problem.”
