A Virginia Tech student says her career path could change completely now that women are allowed in more military roles.
"Now I feel like I have more options than I've ever had" said Jadee Ragland, who served six years in the Virginia National Guard, four on active duty.
The now 25-year old was deployed for a year to Kosovo during Operation Enduring Freedom.
"I loved it. It was a great experience" she says talking about her peace keeping mission.
Ragland wasn't considering additional military service after graduation in May, but now that's changed.
"Now that so many more positions have opened up it's definitely a door that still open for me at this point" said Ragland.
She understands the objections to allowing women in combat roles on the frontlines.
"The questions they raise are completely valid. Some of the concerns are a man might stay back if a woman is wounded instead of moving on with the unit or there might be relationships and I think all of that should most certainly be considered" said Ragland.
She says the changes should come with additional training but job standards should remain the same.
"For Special Ops I don't think the standard should be lowered at all" said Ragland. "If the requirement is to be able to lift something up and carry it or run a certain amount of time for Special Ops to be effective you have to be able to do that. I think if a woman is able to do that then absolutely by all means she should be able to be on the team."
A decision her husband, Nathan Ragland, supports.
"I feel like they know all the risks they're taking. It's the same as all the men are taking. If they're competent there's no reason they shouldn't be able to defend their country if that's what they wanted" said Nathan Ragland.
For now, the human development major is applying to law school and considering careers which could include joining her brothers who are both U.S. Marines.
