Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has issued a landmark directive mandating unified fitness standards for all military combat units, regardless of gender, potentially reducing the number of women in combat roles.
Key Takeaways
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered gender-neutral fitness standards for all combat positions in the US military.
- The directive requires military branches to identify combat roles requiring heightened physical fitness and establish standards based solely on operational demands.
- Current gender-specific standards will remain for some military jobs but not for combat units.
- Military services have 60 days to propose changes and 30 days to provide an interim report, with implementation expected by October.
- The policy aims to ensure military readiness and equal standards for all service members in combat positions.
Uniform Standards for Combat Readiness
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has signed a new memorandum requiring all military services to implement identical physical fitness standards for men and women serving in combat units. The directive, announced after Hegseth’s return from Japan, mandates that physical requirements for combat positions be based solely on operational demands and military readiness. This policy change affects special operations, infantry, and other combat-focused roles across all military branches, establishing a standardized approach to fitness requirements regardless of gender or age.
The memo builds upon a previous directive from March 12 addressing military standards on physical fitness, body composition, and grooming. Service leaders now have 60 days to propose changes to current standards and 30 days to provide an interim report. The new unified fitness standards are expected to be fully implemented by the end of October, marking a significant shift in how combat readiness is assessed across the armed forces.
🚨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
Current Military Fitness Systems
The US military currently operates under a two-part system for physical fitness standards. All service members must pass routine annual fitness tests, which often have different requirements based on age and gender. However, combat roles already maintain more rigorous standards that must be met by everyone regardless of demographic factors. The Army and Marines have specific fitness requirements for combat positions that are not adjusted for gender or age, though implementation varies across different branches of service. “As the nature of warfare evolves and the demands on our service members grow more complex, it is imperative that we assess and refine the physical fitness standards that enable our readiness and lethality,” explained Hegseth.
In 2022, the Army adjusted grading standards for women and older service members after a RAND study revealed higher failure rates among these groups. This change raised concerns about potentially compromising operational effectiveness in combat scenarios. Hegseth’s directive appears to address these concerns by reestablishing a single standard for all personnel in combat-focused positions, though gender-specific standards will remain for non-combat military jobs.
Implications for Military Composition
The new policy is expected to reduce the number of women who qualify for combat roles, as they will be required to meet identical physical fitness standards as their male counterparts. Hegseth has been explicit about his position that women should not be in combat units if they cannot meet the same standards as men. Military leaders must now assess which positions qualify as combat arms jobs requiring heightened physical fitness, a process that may involve complex determinations about operational requirements in modern warfare.
The success of this initiative ultimately depends on the military’s commitment to maintaining high standards across all service branches. Critics have expressed concerns that standards might be lowered to accommodate demographic targets, potentially affecting military readiness. However, proponents argue that unified standards ensure all personnel in combat positions are equally capable of performing under demanding conditions, regardless of gender, thereby strengthening overall military effectiveness in combat situations.
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
