Retired U.S. Army General Mark Milley, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, delivered a sharp rebuttal Wednesday to critics questioning the effectiveness of women in combat roles. His comments came amid controversy surrounding President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for defense secretary, Fox News host Pete Hegseth, who has expressed opposition to women serving in combat.
Speaking at a national security innovation event hosted by the Pallas Foundation, Milley defended the contributions of women in the military with unflinching clarity. “Don’t lecture me about women in combat,” Milley declared, according to Politico. “Women have been in combat, and it doesn’t matter if that 7.62 [caliber round] hits you in the chest. No one gives a s— if it’s a woman or a guy to pull that trigger, you’re still dead.”
The remarks were a direct counter to statements by Hegseth, who has called for removing thousands of women from combat roles. Hegseth, alongside Trump, has been critical of what they describe as a “woke” military leadership. In a podcast interview earlier this month, Hegseth argued that integrating women into combat roles “hasn’t made us more effective, hasn’t made us more lethal, has made fighting more complicated.”
Milley’s stance was echoed by current Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who earlier in the day also voiced support for women serving on the frontlines. Addressing reporters, Austin emphasized the critical role women play in the military. “I think our women add significant value to the United States military and we should never change that,” Austin stated, according to Politico.
Austin also directed a message to female service members: “We need you, we have faith in you, we are appreciative of your service, and you add value to the finest and most lethal fighting force on Earth.” The controversy over Hegseth’s nomination and his views on women in combat has sparked broader discussions about diversity and effectiveness within the armed forces.
Milley’s pointed defense underscores the importance of recognizing the contributions of women who have served with distinction in combat roles, often under the most harrowing conditions. As debates continue over the future direction of the U.S. military, Milley’s and Austin’s remarks stand as a firm endorsement of the integral role women play in maintaining the strength and readiness of the armed forces.