Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth mandates a single fitness standard for military combat roles, requiring all service members to meet the same physical requirements regardless of gender.
Quick Takes
- Defense Secretary Hegseth has given military leaders 60 days to propose unified physical standards for combat positions.
- The new directive requires that combat fitness standards be based solely on operational demands, not gender.
- Approximately 4,800 women currently serve in Army infantry, armor, and artillery roles affected by the changes.
- Conservative groups have claimed female troops were held to lower standards than their male counterparts.
- Implementation of the updated standards will occur over the next six months.
Hegseth Orders Combat Standards Review
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered a comprehensive review of physical standards for military combat roles, mandating they be identical for both male and female service members. In a directive issued this week, Hegseth gave military service leaders 60 days to propose changes ensuring combat fitness requirements are based solely on operational demands and readiness, with no exceptions based on gender. The order specifically targets positions designated as “combat arms,” which include infantry, armor, artillery, and special operations roles where physical demands are particularly rigorous.
This latest move builds upon a previous memo from March 12 regarding military standards on physical fitness, body composition, and grooming. The new directive requires military branches to clearly identify which jobs qualify as combat arms and necessitate heightened physical fitness standards. Service leaders must submit an interim report within 30 days and provide final recommendations within 60 days, with implementation expected over the next six months.
Focus on Operational Requirements
The review aims to establish “the highest and equal standards” for all troops involved in combat operations. According to the directive, physical requirements must reflect the actual demands of warfare rather than arbitrary distinctions between service members. Currently, the military operates under a two-part system for fitness standards: routine annual tests with varying requirements based on age and gender, and more stringent standards for specific combat roles that are already largely gender-neutral.
The memo emphasizes specific attention to ground combat, special operations, and specialized operational units, which already maintain some of the most demanding physical requirements. The Army’s Occupational Physical Assessment Test for combat positions and the Marine Corps’ gender-neutral standards for infantry and special operations will likely serve as models for the broader implementation across services. The review will also involve establishing clearer distinctions between combat and non-combat military occupations.
Background and Controversy
The review comes amid ongoing debates about military readiness since combat roles were opened to women in 2016. Approximately 4,800 women currently serve in Army combat positions across infantry, armor, and artillery units. Conservative groups have raised concerns that female troops face lower physical requirements than their male counterparts, potentially affecting combat effectiveness. Hegseth, who took office under the current administration, has previously expressed skepticism about women serving in combat roles.
Military demographics show women constitute about 18% of active-duty personnel across all branches. Previous Defense Department leadership, including former Secretary Lloyd Austin, defended the value of female combat troops and their contributions to mission readiness. The current directive represents a shift in approach, with Hegseth reportedly directing the removal of some historical accounts of women’s military contributions under new rules against diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in the armed forces.
Implementation Timeline
The military services now face a tight timeline for compliance with Hegseth’s order. The 60-day deadline for proposing changes will be followed by a review period before implementation begins. Leaders must identify which positions qualify as combat arms, determine appropriate physical standards based solely on operational requirements, and develop testing protocols to evaluate service member qualifications. The services will need to address how current personnel who may not meet the new standards will be handled during the transition period.
While some combat roles already maintain gender-neutral standards, the review could potentially expand or intensify requirements across more military occupations. The directive emphasizes that standards should reflect the evolving nature of warfare and ensure all service members can effectively perform their duties in combat situations. The changes are expected to be fully implemented within six months, representing one of the most significant shifts in military physical fitness policy since combat roles were opened to women nearly a decade ago.
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
