On April 23, the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a hearing to continue examining active guard, reserve, and civilian personnel programs in the upcoming FY2014 Defense Authorization bill (as-yet-unnumbered). The subcommittee held a hearing on April 17 to begin receiving testimony on these programs (see The Source, 4/19/13). The testimony highlighted several Department of Defense personnel programs affecting women service members and their families, including sexual assault prevention and response, family support, and child care programs.
The Honorable Thomas R. Lamont, assistant secretary of the Army for manpower and reserve affairs, and Lieutenant General Howard B. Bromberg, deputy chief of staff G-1, United States Army, highlighted women’s expanding roles in the military in joint testimony: “Female soldiers have demonstrated their ability to excel in combat over the last ten years. The Army is committed to ensuring all soldiers have career opportunities that enable them to reach their highest potential without regard to gender. The expansion of opportunities for women will improve overall Army capability and readiness…Women may now serve in leadership positions previously closed to them, allowing them to be competitive with their male peers as they gain new experiences.”
The following individuals also testified:
