Thank you, Senator Shaheen. At this point, I would ask unanimous consent to enter into the record five letters of support from female service members and combat veterans who support Mr. Hegsseth's nomination.

These women represent diverse viewpoints from a retired colonel with over 25 years of service to an active duty Navy surface warfare commander to a senior airman.

They support Mr. Hexseth and comment on his focus on merit, warfighting readiness, military training status, and the warrior ethos.

So without objection, it will be entered into the record.

And now I'm honored to recognize Senator Cotton for seven minutes.

Mr. Hexsaf, let's continue on this line of questioning about what sometimes referred to as women in combat.

I think that phrase is something of a misnomer.

Many members of this committee have served in combat in the last 25 years to include women and men.

I'm sure all those men served with women, whether they were military police officers or they were pilots or whether

they were intelligence analysts or medics or what have you. You served. I assume you served with

women who were on the front lines as well. Is that correct? Yes, sir. And were those women anything

other than skilled, brave, and honorable in their service? They were some of the best soldiers

I worked with. So women have been serving in combat for a long time.

Women have even been serving in combat units like infantry battalions for a long time

in roles like medics or mechanics or what have you.

So what we're talking about here specifically is women in ground combat roles in jobs like

infantrymen or artillerymen or special forces.

Until about 10 years ago, that wasn't the case. Under Secretary Panetta, those roles were

opened up to women to serve in. Has President Trump indicated at all that he plans to rescind

or alter that guidance?

You're correct to point out, Senator, that these are the decisions.

What they do, let me just explain to you.

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