Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin strongly defended the role of women in the military during a speech at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point on Wednesday. While not naming names, his comments appeared to challenge President-elect Donald Trump’s Pentagon pick, Pete Hegseth, who has publicly opposed women serving in combat roles.
Austin highlighted the contributions of women in combat, recalling his experiences during the Iraq invasion in 2003. “Everywhere I’ve gone on a battlefield, I’ve seen women fighting for America,” Austin said. He called them “incredibly capable, incredibly accomplished, and incredibly brave,” emphasizing the military’s need for diverse talent to remain strong.
The Pentagon officially opened combat roles to women in 2013, marking a significant shift in military policy. Since then, women have achieved historic milestones, including the first female U.S. Marine completing the rigorous infantry officer course in 2017. Austin dismissed opposition to these advancements, saying, “This isn’t 1950. It isn’t 1948. It is 2024.”
Austin’s comments followed recent statements by Hegseth, who expressed strong opposition to women in combat roles during a podcast interview. Hegseth argued that the policy has complicated military operations and diminished effectiveness. “I’m straight up just saying we should not have women in combat roles,” he said.
Hegseth’s nomination to lead the Pentagon faces skepticism in the Senate, partly due to his stance on women in combat and additional allegations concerning his personal and professional conduct. Despite this, he continues to push forward with his bid.
Austin concluded his speech by rejecting policies that exclude qualified individuals from military service, stating, “Any military that turns away tough, talented patriots—women or men—is just making itself weaker and smaller.”
