In furtherance of his policy of diversity and inclusion, United States President, Joe Biden, on Monday named two women generals to lead the country’s military commands.
The two generals are only the second and third women to hold such senior military positions in the United States.
Air Force General Jacqueline Van Ovost, the only woman at the four-star general rank, the military’s highest, was nominated to head Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM).
Three-star army general, Laura Richardson was nominated to lead Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), which covers Central and Latin America. She is in line to receive her fourth star following the nomination.
If the Senate confirms their nominations, then Van Ovost and Richardson will follow Lori Robinson, who was the first woman to helm a military command. She led Northern Command (NORTHCOM) before retiring in 2018.
“Each of these women have led careers demonstrating incomparable skill, integrity and duty to country,” Biden said while presenting the two generals during a short speech at the White House.
“Today is International Women’s Day, and we all need to see and to recognize the barrier-breaking accomplishments of these women,” he added.
The US military has 11 commands, all led by four-star generals. Last month, The New York Times reported that the Pentagon had decided on Van Ovost and Richardson’s nominations as early as last year.
But the Times reported that the announcement was delayed until after the November presidential election because former defense secretary Mark Esper feared then-president Donald Trump would not approve the generals’ nomination due to their gender
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