Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered a comprehensive overhaul of military fitness standards, mandating that all combat roles maintain the same physical requirements regardless of gender, potentially affecting thousands of female service members currently serving in infantry, armor, and artillery positions.
Top Takeaways
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered gender-neutral fitness standards for all combat jobs, giving military services 60 days to propose changes.
- The review aims to define which positions qualify as “combat arms” and establish consistent physical requirements based solely on operational demands.
- Approximately 4,800 women currently serve in Army infantry, armor, and artillery roles that could be affected by the new standards.
- Combat jobs already have stringent physical fitness standards, but Hegseth’s memo may further refine requirements for special operations and ground combat roles.
- Critics suggest the review may be aimed at reducing female participation in combat positions, while supporters argue it ensures military readiness.
New Directive for Equal Combat Standards
The Pentagon is implementing a significant policy shift as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directs military services to maintain identical physical fitness standards for men and women in combat roles. The mandate, revealed in a recently issued memo, requires military branches to identify which positions qualify as “combat arms” and establish physical requirements based solely on operational demands. This directive builds upon a previous March 12 memo addressing broader military standards on physical fitness, body composition, and grooming regulations.
Current military fitness assessment consists of a two-part system: routine annual tests that vary by service branch and have different standards based on age and gender, and more rigorous standards for specific combat roles. Hegseth’s order emphasizes that the specialized combat positions must maintain uniform requirements regardless of gender. Military leaders have been given 60 days to propose changes and 30 days to provide an interim report on implementation plans.
Impact on Female Service Members
The directive could significantly impact approximately 4,800 women currently serving in Army infantry, armor, and artillery roles. These positions were opened to female service members in 2016 when the Pentagon removed gender-based restrictions on combat roles. Conservative groups have claimed that women have been subjected to lower physical fitness requirements than men in these positions, although military officials maintain that combat-specific standards are already gender-neutral.
The review memo specifically calls for redefining combat arms occupations and establishing “the highest and equal standards” for all troops. This includes developing specific standards for ground combat elements, special operations forces, and specialized operational requirements. Hegseth has directed that the implementation of these new standards will occur over the next six months, potentially changing the qualification requirements for thousands of military positions.
Controversy Surrounding the Changes
Hegseth’s directive has sparked debate within military circles. The Defense Secretary has previously expressed reservations about women serving in combat roles, stating in a 2020 interview, “I’m straight up just saying we should not have women in combat roles.” This stance contrasts with previous military leadership, including former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who defended the value of female combat troops and their contributions to military operations.
Women currently make up approximately 18% of the active-duty military force across all branches. Military leadership now faces the complex task of determining which positions qualify as combat arms and what specific physical standards should apply to these roles. The Army and Marines already have established fitness standards for combat and special operations roles, but these may be subject to revision under the new directive. Critics suggest the changes could reduce female participation in combat positions, while supporters argue they ensure all service members are equally prepared for the physical demands of combat.
Sources:
- Hegseth orders fitness standards to be gender neutral for combat jobs. Many already are
- Hegseth orders review of physical standards for military combat roles
- Pentagon to review physical standards for military combat jobs
