Sgt. First Class Michelle Pierre has served tours in Iraq and in Afghanistan.  She said arguments about physical or emotional differences between men and women don't apply out in the field, where it comes down to how you do your job.

“I feel as if you perform your job, they’re going to treat you the same regardless of your gender,” said Pierre.

Top brass at the US Army Pacific, Hawaii say the move strengthens the military.

“Now they’re going to have the proper training to do the job they’re already doing,” said Capt. Dustin Flowers, 74th Ordnance Company EOD commander.

And in some ways, these soldiers said sometimes the best man for the job may be a woman.

“Women are able to cope just as well as men in any situation, if not, we’re at least better at communicating,” said Sorensen.

Military chiefs must report back to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta with their initial implementation plans by May 15.

There are currently 3,500 female soldiers in the military here in Hawaii.

There are 8,474 women soldiers serving in the US Army Pacific that includes Korea, Japan, Alaska and Hawaii.