(KCEN) -- Some big news concerning women in the military was announced yesterday.
The Department of Defense has announced the military will end its policy of excluding women from combat. The change will allow women to work combat jobs and direct combat units.
The change will open 200,000 more jobs to women, mainly in the Army and Marines.
The ban that was put into place back in 1994 compromised about 14 percent of active duty military personal from combat. But with this big change that won't be the case anymore.
Being in the army for 18 years and being deployed three times, John Krukoski, knows all too well what it takes to be in the middle of a combat zone.
Krukoski said, "I don't think so much it's going to be less dangerous for them as it is for us, we know the risk we know what we're getting into."
And for those fearless men and now women putting their lives on the line for our country, support is backing them all the way.
"I believe she has the right to stand in the front line. We have struggled so long and so hard for us to be recognized. So it is a good opportunity and it's their choice," said Killeen residents Dorris Hardin.
"I personally feel, go for it, great if you want to do that. Women should have every right to go for it," military spouse Amanda Harris.
The new change would allow for women to be in the most dangerous positions.
Some officials question whether they will be able to handle certain infantry training because of physical requirements.
And although Krukoski backs the women, he understands how difficult the physical labor can be.
"Somebody said in the in infantry is not going to be lugging up fuel artillery rounds, so I think a less physical job in a combat role would probably be better," Krukoski said.
The Army and Marine Corps especially will be looking into physical standards and gender-neutral accommodations within combat units.
"I pray that God will protect them and shield them while they're away from home," Hardin said.
And as long as they know their role, Krukoski is proud to serve with any soldier.
"They do have equal say and if they can make it physically and they know their knowledge and their particular jobs then why not," he said.
Military branches have until May to draw up a plan for opening all units to women and until the end of 2015 to put them into action.
