by Briana Bermensolo
Today, President Barack Obama said he's on board with women serving on the front lines.
"I meet extraordinary women in uniform who can do everything a man can and more," said President Obama in an interview with CBS News' Scott Pelley.
Speaking out on the Pentagon's major policy change, the president insists women are already serving in combat roles.
Outgoing Defense Secretary Leon Panetta signed the order reversing a 1994 ban.
Top military leaders have until May 15th to raise their objections to the new policy.
"I know a few women, they shame a lot of men," said Captain Sarah Phillips with the Defense Language Institute in Monterey. "I don't see any reason why those opportunities can't be open to them if they're qualified for them."
Captain Sarah Phillips has a Combat Action Badge on her uniform.
She earned the badge as a platoon leader in Afghanistan. The badge is only given to soldiers who engage with enemy troops, or in other words, on the front lines.
"I had to try-out for the position that I was in. It was very rigorous. I was evaluated on a very high level in Afghanistan and I was chosen over available men," said Captain Phillips.
Combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have already cost more than 130 women their lives and left more than 800 wounded.
Panetta's orders will open more jobs to women, primarily in the Army and Marines. The services will have until May to draw up a plan for opening all units to women and until the end of 2015 to implement it.
