Pentagon Moves to Implement Gender-Neutral Combat Fitness Standards

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defends the policy as a step toward fairness and readiness, while critics warn of potential impacts on women in combat roles and recruitment.

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed military branches to finalize plans for gender-neutral physical fitness standards for combat roles within 60 days, with full implementation expected in six months.
• Hegseth argues the policy will restore high standards and improve combat readiness by holding men and women to identical physical requirements in combat positions.
• Critics, including women veterans and military experts, express concerns that the new standards could disproportionately affect women, potentially reducing recruitment and retention in combat roles.
• The directive follows earlier challenges with gender-neutral fitness tests, which saw high failure rates among women, raising questions about their relevance to combat readiness.
• The policy aligns with Hegseth's broader push to address what he perceives as declining physical standards in the military, though some experts question whether physical fitness alone ensures combat effectiveness.

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