Gen. Jennie Carignan, who made history as the first woman to lead Canada’s armed forces, firmly addressed the renewed discussion over women in combat roles, particularly in light of President-elect Trump’s selection for Defense Secretary. She criticized the ongoing need to justify women’s contributions to national security and defense, calling it an unnecessary distraction.
At the Halifax International Security Forum, Carignan responded to comments made by Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), who had stated the involvement of women in combat creates “certain unique situations” and deemed it “delusional” to believe otherwise.
Gen. Carignan calls for recognition of women’s sacrifices in global military operations
His remarks came amid questioning surrounding Pete Hegseth, Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, who has publicly opposed women serving in combat positions, a stance that has garnered resistance from Democratic senators involved in his confirmation process.
“I wouldn’t want anyone to leave this forum thinking women are a distraction to defense or national security,” Carignan declared, offering a clear rebuttal to Risch’s position. She went on to reflect on her own military career, saying, “After 39 years as a combat arms officer, risking my life in operations worldwide, it’s hard to believe that in 2024, we still need to defend women’s contributions to defense and service.”
Carignan emphasized further, “This is not a social experiment,” underscoring her commitment to the role of women in the military. She became the first woman to serve as Chief of Defense Staff in July. Her remarks represent a direct challenge to the conversations surrounding Trump’s nominations, where foreign leaders often navigate a delicate diplomatic balance, highlighting their national values in response to the U.S. debates.
