WASHINGTON — Removing the final barriers that kept women from serving in combat, Defense Secretary Ash Carter has ordered the military to open all military jobs to women, including the most dangerous commando posts.

The historic decision Thursday is a formal recognition that thousands of women have fought — and many were wounded or killed — in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

But it’s uncertain how many will actually want to compete for some of the more grueling Army and Marine Corps infantry posts or for spots on the high-risk special operations teams.