The United States military is set to undergo significant changes in its physical fitness protocols for combat roles. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed a memorandum on Sunday evening, mandating the implementation of sex-neutral fitness standards across all combat arms. This move marks a significant policy shift, designed to ensure that all service members, regardless of gender, meet the same high physical expectations for combat readiness.
The directive was signed by Hegseth shortly after his return from Japan, as reported by various social media outlets including Resist the Mainstream and Libs of TikTok. The goal of this new policy is to eradicate the different fitness requirements previously established for men and women, thereby standardizing the physical benchmarks for those serving in combat roles.
"For far too long, we allowed standards to slip, and different standards for men and women in combat arms, [military occupational specialties] and jobs, that’s not acceptable," Hegseth stated, as per Breitbart News. He underscored the importance of meeting the highest physical expectations to ensure operational effectiveness.
The historical context of physical standards in the U.S. military reveals a longstanding disparity between the requirements for male and female service members. However, during the Obama administration, all combat roles were opened to both men and women, which introduced different physical fitness standards based on gender.
In the memorandum, Hegseth has instructed the Army, Navy, and Air Force to distinguish clearly between combat arms and non-combat arms roles. This distinction is meant to identify positions with heightened physical demands and to establish fitness standards reflective of the job's operational needs rather than gender-based criteria.
As a combat veteran and former Army National Guard officer, Hegseth has been a vocal advocate for military readiness and physical conditioning. He has maintained his own high level of physical fitness by participating in workouts with U.S. troops and engaging in endurance activities, such as a charity swim with Navy SEALs before taking office.
The new directive outlines specific physical expectations for combat personnel. Ground combat troops will be required to carry heavy loads, sustain intense physical exertion, and remain effective in hostile conditions. Special operations forces will face stringent standards that include swimming, climbing, and parachuting, vital for high-stakes missions. Additionally, roles such as Navy Divers and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technicians will have to prove their endurance in water-based rescue and demolition tasks.
"All entry-level and sustained physical fitness requirements within combat arms positions must be sex-neutral—based solely on the operational demands of the occupation and the readiness needed to confront any adversary," Hegseth emphasized in the memo.
Military branch leaders must submit proposals for implementing these new standards within 60 days, with an interim update at 30 days and full implementation due within six months of approval. The Pentagon, with Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell expressing solid support for the directive, is committed to upholding these uncompromising and clear standards, as indicated by a tweet on his official account.
Hegseth's decision has received mixed reactions. While some view it as a step toward prioritizing combat effectiveness over diversity policies, others are concerned it might inadvertently limit women's participation in combat roles. Nevertheless, the directive signals a return to strict, uniform physical requirements for the most demanding positions in the military.
