General predicts lower standards for women

WASHINGTON (AP) — A top Marine general says he believes the military will eventually be pressured to lower standards for women if any significant number of them could advance in combat jobs like the Marine infantry.

Gen. John Kelly, head of U.S. Southern Command, tells reporters that there will be “great pressure” to reduce standards because he says that’s the only way more than a few women will succeed.

Defense Department officials have vowed that standards for combat jobs will not be lowered to admit women.

The Marine Corps sought to keep certain infantry and combat jobs closed to women citing studies showing combined-gender units are not as effective as maleonly units. The Marines were overruled by Defense Secretary Ash Carter, who opened all combat jobs to women.

General: Delay of Gitmo transfers nonsense

WASHINGTON (AP) — The top U.S. general overseeing the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, detention center says claims that the Pentagon has delayed the release of detainees are nonsense. But he acknowledged concerns that some detainees have returned to the battlefield.

Marine Gen. John Kelly, head of U.S. Southern Command, says there has been an increase in the number of officials from foreign countries visiting Guantanamo to finalize decisions to transfer a detainee to their nation.

The Defense Department has long been criticized over the slow pace of transfers.

He dismissed suggestions that the expected transfer of 17 detainees this month adds credence to the argument that approvals have previously been slow.