Tech. Sgt. Israel Del Toro is a legend in the tactical air control party community. In 2005, he suffered third-degree burns over 80 percent of his body when his vehicle hit a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. He endured more than 100 surgeries to re-enlist in 2010, going on to serve as a TACP instructor for five years. He is now a paralympian for the Air Force.

Beyond the initial requirements for the six combat career fields newly open to women, airmen need to be mentally prepared for the jobs, Del Toro told Air Force Times on Dec. 9.

"You're not really out there to do humanitarian stuff," he said. "Our job is to kill people. Some people don't realize that's the purpose of our career fields. It really takes a mental toughness to get through that."

Del Toro, who has served with conventional and special operations forces, said his advice to women who want to become battlefield airmen is to embrace the team ethos that defines these career fields.

"As long as you act like part of a team, you'll be perfect," he said. "These career fields are all about teams. If you act like the guys ... getting together, BSing with them, you'll be fine. You have nothing to worry about."