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Hegseth's right: I don't get our obsession with women in combat

Nicole Russell   Paste BN

Cabinet confirmation hearings are in full swing on Capitol Hill, and let me tell you, they’re juicy and substantive, emotional and dramatic.  

In secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth’s hearing, senators on Wednesday covered almost every provocative topic possible. From sex and strip clubs to lying and guns, Democratic politicians tried to rattle the former “Fox & Friends” host.  

They failed. 

Even though I was a skeptical of some of President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet choices at first, including his choice to lead the Pentagon, Hegseth’s ability to remain composed and answer every question thrown at him made me take notice.  

Democrats spent a lot of time insinuating that Hegseth doesn’t want women to serve in combat. He pointed out that he served with women in the military, and repeatedly clarified his position, saying that, “women will have access to ground combat roles” so long as they meet gender-neutral and high standards. 

My latest: Goodbye and good riddance, Biden. Americans like me are glad to see Joe go.

I don’t quite understand the obsession with whether women can fight in combat roles.  

Doesn’t every American want the most qualified people serving in our military? Man or woman? Why would we lower standards to meet a gender quota when the nation’s security is at stake? That seems dangerous and silly.  

In a November column, days after the election, I asked: Is President-elect Donald Trump unraveling the so-called deep state, or is he nominating unqualified loyalists to serve in his Cabinet? 

It’s worth asking again, now that Trump is days from his inauguration. He needs smart, qualified men and women to lead various arms of the government on our behalf.  

If Hegseth is confirmed, which it looks like he may be, he will be responsible for making decisions that affect nearly 3 million members of the armed forces and the security of all Americans. I’m glad to see he was focused on the military’s purpose and mission, not political correctness.  

What do you think of women serving in combat roles? Email me: nrussell@gannett.com.

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