Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth mandates equal fitness standards for men and women in all military combat roles, ending gender-specific requirements that have sparked debate for years.
Quick Takes
- Hegseth’s order requires all military combat positions to maintain identical physical standards regardless of gender.
- Service branches have 60 days to propose implementation plans for the new standards.
- The directive builds on a March 12 memo addressing broader military standards on fitness, body composition, and grooming.
- Physical requirements must be based solely on operational demands and combat readiness.
- Changes are expected to reduce the number of women who qualify for combat roles.
Restoring Combat Readiness Through Equal Standards
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is implementing a significant overhaul of military physical fitness standards, requiring all service members in combat roles to meet identical requirements regardless of gender. The announcement came via video posted to social media platform X after Hegseth’s return from Japan. This change represents a return to standards-based readiness in America’s fighting forces after years of what some military experts considered lowered expectations. The mandate specifically targets combat arms jobs such as infantry and special operations, aiming to ensure all warriors meet the same physical benchmarks determined by battlefield demands rather than demographic considerations.
Military branches currently operate under a two-part fitness system: routine annual tests with gender-adjusted standards and more rigorous requirements for specific combat positions. While combat specialties already maintain stringent physical benchmarks that don’t vary by gender, Hegseth’s directive ensures this approach is standardized across all services. The memo gives service leaders 60 days to propose implementation plans and 30 days to provide an interim report, with full implementation expected by the end of October.
🚨JUST IN🚨
The Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announces he’s signed a new memorandum which ensures both men and women have the same fitness standards for combat roles.
This is equality! pic.twitter.com/fd7fMnGvKa
— Breanna Morello (@BreannaMorello) March 31, 2025
Historical Context and Rationale
The U.S. military has grappled with how to fairly assess women’s physical capabilities for combat roles since all military occupations were opened to women in 2015. In 2022, the Army adjusted its grading standards for women and older service members after a RAND Corporation study revealed these groups experienced higher failure rates on fitness tests. Critics argued these adjustments potentially compromised combat effectiveness, while supporters maintained they provided equitable opportunities while maintaining operational standards.
Hegseth’s concerns about fitness standards align with his previously expressed views on women in combat. While gender-specific standards will remain for non-combat military jobs, the Secretary has argued that combat units should not include women who cannot meet the same physical requirements as men. This position reflects his focus on combat readiness rather than demographic representation within military units. The military’s dual responsibility of maintaining both diversity and battlefield effectiveness has created tension in policy decisions, particularly regarding physical standards.
Impact on Military Preparedness
The memo emphasizes the necessity of continuous refinement of physical standards to address evolving warfare demands. Hegseth underscored this point, highlighting the increasingly complex nature of modern combat operations. Special operations forces, which already maintain rigorous fitness requirements, are specifically referenced in the directive as examples of units requiring heightened physical capabilities. The assessment of which roles qualify as “combat arms” may prove complex, requiring detailed evaluations of physical demands across various military specializations.
Military analysts expect this policy change will reduce the number of women who meet requirements for combat positions. However, supporters argue this outcome reflects the physical realities of combat rather than discriminatory intent. The policy aims to ensure the best leaders emerge through merit-based standards, prioritizing operational effectiveness in America’s fighting forces. The ultimate success of Hegseth’s initiative will depend on the military’s commitment to maintaining high standards for all service members while adapting to the changing nature of warfare.
Sources:
Hegseth orders fitness standards to be gender neutral for combat jobs. Many already are
Pentagon Eliminates Lower Fitness Standards for Women in Combat Roles
Pete Hegseth Requires Everyone in Combat Units to Meet the Same Physical Fitness Standards
