Danger is nothing new for the women of the Rhode Island National Guard and Air National Guard, who've come under fire for years in support positions in Afghanistan and Iraq.
"I've been deployed four times, flown throughout Iraq and Afghanistan, and women and men are serving in these austere bases in the middle of nowhere under the threat of enemy fire, whether they are in a support role or a combat role," said Lt. Col. Kathy Sullivan of the Rhode Island Air National Guard.
Sullivan flies a C-130 out of Quonset, and in the war zone, said she's been fired at trying to land.
"We were going into a base in Afghanistan at night and we received enemy fire on our way in," Sullivan said.
On Thursday, the Pentagon is recommending to Congress that women be allowed to serve in more jobs closer to the front lines. The change would open up about 14,000 additional jobs to women.
The change allows for women to work with men at the battalion level, not leading the charge to take a target but just a step behind.
It ups the risk for servicemen and service women across the board, and the women NBC 10 spoke with on Thursday welcome the new rules, even though they hadn't heard of a push for them within the ranks.
"We've been training for this for years, so to have the announcement come (Thursday) morning did not come as a surprise to me," said Sgt. 1st Class Amy Slater.
"For me, that's the whole reason why I signed up to be in the military. That's my job, to defend my country. So, to me, this is a positive thing," said Chief Warrant Officer Cheryl Irving.
If it's a matter of equality, why now? Why not let women lead the charge? Maybe in time, NBC 10 is told.
Lt. Col. Denis Riel of the Rhode Island National Guard said it's not about strength levels.
"I think what's happening is that we are subservient to civilian leadership and we always will be in a democracy. As these issues play out in the greater social arena, we will follow suit," he said.
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