 The Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta, announced at a press conference January 24th that he has expanded the combat roles that women can fill. The Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus, said he fully supports Panetta's announcement to rescind the ban that prevents women from fighting in combat areas. It allows the Navy to expand opportunities for women in riverine forces and in Navy billets that directly support marine infantry operations like Hospital Corman and Chaplains. He also said women continue to serve bravely at sea and ashore, and drawing from their talent in additional assignments increases the Navy's ability to maintain mission readiness. From the Defense Media Activity, I'm Petty Officer Brandy Wills.