Defense Secretary Orders Review of Military Standards
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has initiated a comprehensive review of military standards, encompassing physical fitness, body composition, and grooming regulations. This review is a commitment Hegseth made during his confirmation hearing, where he expressed concerns about the perceived erosion of military standards.
“One of our initial tasks at the Pentagon will be to conduct a gender-neutral review of these standards to ensure that readiness and meritocracy remain our priorities,” Hegseth stated in January.
A memo released by the Pentagon on Wednesday night outlines Hegseth’s directive for the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness to evaluate the military departments’ existing standards.
“We must uphold the standards that empower the women and men of our military to safeguard the American people and our homeland as the world’s most formidable and effective fighting force,” Hegseth emphasized. “Our adversaries aren’t weakening, and our challenges are not diminishing.”
The memo instructs a thorough review of how standards have evolved since January 1, 2015, particularly following the Defense Department’s December 2015 announcement to allow women in all combat roles.
Previously, Hegseth voiced opposition to this policy, asserting in a podcast before his appointment that “women should not serve in combat roles, as it hasn’t enhanced our effectiveness or lethality.” However, during his confirmation hearing, he softened this stance, assuring that women would have access to combat roles provided that standards remain rigorous and unaltered.
Katherine Kuzminski, director of studies at the Center for a New American Security, highlighted in an interview that separate requirements exist for men and women, and different age groups must meet criteria for the Army Combat Fitness Test. However, gender-neutral standards apply for special forces qualifications.
“These standards are consistently applied across genders,” Kuzminski remarked, “which is why we observe only a small number of women entering special operations.”
For instance, as of early January, data from the Army indicates 156 women have graduated from the demanding Ranger Course, with 381 attending since its opening to women in 2015, translating to a graduation rate of approximately 41%.
The Ranger Course demands all candidates to swim 15 meters in full uniform, complete a five-mile run in under 40 minutes, and march 12 miles with a 35-lb. rucksack, as outlined by the Army.
An Army official confirmed to CBS News, “The standards have not been lowered, and each Ranger Course graduate complies with the same training criteria.”
The Pentagon’s review may prompt changes to the Army Combat Fitness Test to establish equal requirements for men and women. Currently, different scoring criteria exist based on age and gender; for example, a 17 to 21-year-old man must run two miles in 22 minutes, while a woman in the same age range has a requirement of 23:22. However, the minimum number of hand-release push-ups remains uniform for all ages and genders, set at 10.
Amid a recruiting crisis, the military has recently adjusted policies regarding drug use and tattoos and has offered enlistment bonuses to draw in potential recruits while still enforcing physical and educational standards. Additionally, the Army has initiated pre-enlistment boot camps to help candidates prepare for basic training.
During his confirmation hearing, Hegseth mentioned conversations with service members indicating that standards have changed in “overt and subtle” ways, though he did not provide specific examples to the senators.
Kuzminski noted that the review could also involve revisiting grooming standards, such as allowing women to wear ponytails in the Army or permitting certain men in the Navy to grow facial hair due to medical conditions aggravated by shaving. She emphasized, “While they may appear minor, these changes were tied to a broader initiative during the Biden administration aimed at ensuring no standards disproportionately affected minorities.”
Kuzminski added that reinstating previous policies might influence recruiting and retention, but would not disrupt the force’s professionalism, as all service members remain committed to upholding standards, regardless of what they may be.
