In January 2013, as US defense secretary, Leon Panetta lifted a ban on women serving in combat. Some time after January 2025, if Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s nominee for the role, is confirmed and stays true to his expressed position, that ban may be reimposed. “I’m particularly concerned about that, having been the secretary that opened up that opportunity for women to be in combat,” Panetta told the Guardian. “And I’m very proud of it, because I think they performed well....