Weighing in on women serving in combat roles

GROTON, Conn. (WTNH) -- A historic decision coming down from military officials in Washington Thursday: the Pentagon announced that it is lifting its nearly two-decade ban on women serving in direct combat roles.

"Men and women alike, everyone is committed to doing the job fighting and dying together," said Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, "time has come for our policies to recognize that reality."

"At land, sea or air. We wear same uniform, and we all fire the same weapons, most importantly we all take same oath," said Gen. Martin Dempsey, Joint Chiefs Chairman.

Fighting on the front lines. Up until now it's been a right reserved only for men.

"I think that if they give us the right training and stuff like that we can do it, why not," said Soraya Millan, of Groton.

The ban affected those serving in the army and marines, but in this navy community steep in military tradition News 8 did find folks also open to recent military changes.

"If they join the military and they choose to do that they should have that right," said Susan Schmidtknecht, of Groton.

"I think if they want to they should have the right to. Would I want my daughter to go? No," said Leane Cullen, of Waterford.

"But what if you had a son would you want him in combat," asked News 8's Tina Detelj.

"No."

"So it's not a gender thing," asked Detelj.

"No, it's not a gender thing," said Cullen, "but I think women have the right to do anything a man can do."

Women have already made their way to the front line, so to speak, at the submarine base. Back in May 2011 the first women to serve on submarines arrived there for training.

"I think it's actually a good deal," said Christopher Dean, former sailor. "Because honestly they should have the same rights as anybody else."

Dean was just discharged from the Navy and says he would have no problem serving side by side with women in a combat situation.

"I think they can hold up their own because women are as strong as men," Dean said. "People don't think that, but honestly they can pull themselves together, and pull themselves together and do what needs to be done just as well as males do."

As for women serving on submarines, right now that right is reserved for female officers.