Former veteran Sen. John McCain issued a statement of support of Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta’s decision to lift the ban on women serving in combat. …

McCain also suggested that the military should not weaken their physical standards as more women enter combat.

“As this new rule is implemented, it is critical that we maintain the same high standards that have made the American military the most feared and admired fighting force in the world – particularly the rigorous physical standards for our elite special forces units,” he added.