GI Jane coming to US military, but it might take time

Come the New Year, the US military will open all fighting positions to women -- but don't expect to see a female American commando leading a raid into Syria just yet.

Officials say it could take years for women to percolate into some of the military's most specialized roles, including the elite special operations forces that have long epitomized macho soldiering.

"Implementation won't happen overnight," Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said Thursday as he announced the Obama administration's "No Exceptions" policy unlocking every occupation in America's vast military.

Currently, women only account for about 15.6 percent of the 1.34 million active-duty personnel in the Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force.

When the new rules kick in, 52 military occupations -- some 220,000 jobs -- will accept female applicants, who must still pass the same rigorous physical tests as men.

"For the 52 occupations that were completely closed, we have to start at the beginning," a senior defense official said. 

"You have to recruit new recruits, they have to go to boot camp, they have to go to the (specialized) school."

For instance, it takes at least a year and a half to train a Navy SEAL before he (or she) can join a unit. Further training takes about another 12 months before deployment.

The Pentagon is increasingly relying on commandos to conduct raids in Iraq and Syria as America fights the Islamic State group.