Abortions pose a challenge to military readiness

Restrictions on abortions, akin to any other impediments that unjustly stand between service members and essential medical care, undermine military readiness and dismantle the values that fortify America. Previous year, the Defense Department declared for the first time that any woman on active military duty would be entirely covered should she need an abortion. This groundbreaking policy, which I had the honor to contribute to during my term as the undersecretary of Defense, is a feat I take immense pride in as we start a new year.

Like many others, I followed closely the case of Kate Cox seeking a medically mandated abortion. Her situation, a familial crisis unfolded during holiday season, was not unusual, but its prevalence is what made it stand out. It could be happening to any one of us.

The decision draft showed us just how iniquitous and harming such a thoughtlessly taken verdict could be. Regrettably, we've reached that future, placing the lives and health of mothers, sisters and daughters in danger.

Recent limitations on women's reproductive health have embedded politicians and even judges in a place they shouldn't be - doctor's rooms. Kate Cox, akin to hundreds of thousands of other women in military service, could be stationed at a military base in a state that unjustly limits any woman's rights.

Joining the Navy as a young man, seeking direction and opportunity, bestowed me with invaluable experiences, education and worldly exposure. My journey from a ROTC scholar to deployments in several countries, to graduate school, shaped my life and led me back to my roots in San Gabriel Valley to start a family. All the experiences and learnings, a gift from the Navy.

During my decade-long service, I was certain my training, fair salary and health coverage would be intact. It is basic justice that everyone serving should receive the same benefits. There should be absolutely no reason why a woman serving our nation should feel any less valued. This is not what America stands for.

While achieving complete gender equality in our armed forces is a work in progress, the new state-level abortion restrictions have only intensified the existing gender inequalities. The Defense Department's policy on abortion-related travel, although not enough, was a necessary measure to fix the Supreme Court's blunder. However, this policy could also be revoked by a new administration on day one.

A moral obligation to enshrine fundamental reproductive rights for service women, military families and all American citizens into law exists. We need to voice our convictions at the ballot next fall to make this happen. It's crucial that we avoid sending more special interest deceivers or extreme right-wing ideologues to power positions. They are not who they pretend to be. We must evaluate every political contestant on their character, accomplishments, and whether they would advocate unyieldingly for our basic liberties, not bowing down to pressure from influential groups.