A review of military standards concerning combat fitness, physical appearance, and grooming by the defense secretary could spark debate due to differing service rules. This comprehensive review will address whether standardized regulations should apply across the board or if the differences in service roles, social evolution, and recruiting requirements should influence these policies.
Pete Hegseth, a vocal critic of women in combat roles, has previously expressed concerns over potential lowering of standards to accommodate women, asserting that a one-size-fits-all approach is necessary for all military personnel. As reviews progress, military officials are preparing for possible adjustments in policies.
In a recent memo dated March 12, Hegseth requested the undersecretary for personnel to collect detailed information regarding standards tied to physical fitness, body composition, and grooming, which notably includes regulations on facial hair. “We must remain vigilant in maintaining the standards that enable the men and women of our military to protect the American people and our homeland as the world’s most lethal and effective fighting force,” he noted.
Some perceive this initiative as a critique of women’s capability on the front lines, roles they have successfully filled for years. The memo entails evaluating how standards have evolved since 2015, the year all combat roles were made available to women, and assessing the effects of those changes.
A central question arises over whether fitness tests should be uniform across all services and adapted to be gender- and age-neutral. Alternatively, it might involve setting minimum benchmarks while allowing individual services the flexibility to impose more rigorous standards if deemed necessary. Abrupt changes to age- and gender-based scoring in annual fitness assessments could negatively impact recruitment and retention, necessitating gradual implementation.
Currently, the military adheres to a two-part fitness standard: standard annual fitness assessments with age and gender considerations, and more strenuous universal standards for specialized combat roles that transcend age or gender discrepancies.
Across different services, fitness tests vary considerably. Each service administers basic fitness evaluations for all members periodically, with varying criteria and scoring adaptations based on gender and age. For instance, younger male recruits must complete distance runs quicker than females or older male counterparts to obtain maximum scores. Initially composed of straightforward activities like running, push-ups, and sit-ups, these tests have evolved over time, incorporating more diverse exercises.
The Army and Marines require more robust fitness testing. Following a significant overhaul, the Army introduced six new events to mimic real military scenarios, although earlier plans for a gender- and age-neutral test were curtailed due to emerging issues. On the other hand, the Marine Corps conducts two diverse tests annually, with one focusing on standard physical fitness and the other simulating combat conditions and mobility under fire.
For positions like special operations or infantry, unique and more challenging physical, mental, and psychological evaluations are mandatory. These rigorous assessments hold uniformity across gender and age lines, demanding recruits pass demanding qualification courses to qualify for highly specialized roles.
Through time, many other standards have been modified, catering to religious beliefs, societal shifts, and recruiting challenges. For example, the Navy, in an attempt to meet recruiting goals, began enlisting candidates with significantly lower test scores, occasionally admitting candidates without high school diplomas or GEDs to fill roles demanding manual labor.
Hegseth’s attention has largely been on physical fitness, leaving much of these broader adjustments unexplored. Several services now accommodate diverse hairstyles and facial hair, particularly for medical or religious reasons, reflecting changing standards towards appearance that align with evolving societal norms. Policies concerning tattoos and marijuana have also been relaxed, allowing for greater personal expression among service members.