In a significant move, the Defense Secretary has directed the armed forces to implement gender-neutral fitness standards for all combat-related roles, formalizing what is already common practice for many of these positions. A memo distributed by the Secretary instructs military leaders to clearly define which roles qualify as combat arms — such as special operations and infantry — that demand heightened entry-level and ongoing physical prowess, as opposed to roles that do not.
The directive emphasizes that all physical fitness criteria for combat arms roles must be gender-neutral, determined solely by the operational necessities of the role and the readiness required to face adversaries. This new order is an extension of a previous memo that called for the collection of information on military standards including physical fitness, body composition, and grooming practices.
Previously, the Defense Secretary had voiced concerns over fitness standards even before taking office, stemming from debates about women in combat and perceptions that standards were eased to integrate them. Nonetheless, the order might necessitate complex evaluations as each military branch assesses which positions should be classified as combat arms. This becomes complicated in situations like a Navy deployment where sailors might perform multiple functions, including engaging in combat, and have to decide if intelligence officers, who may work close to conflict zones, are considered combat arms.
The military’s fitness standards have traditionally followed a dual approach: routine annual fitness assessments with requirements based on gender and age, and a more rigorous set of standards for specific combat and special operations tasks, unadjusted for age or gender. This latest memo focuses on the latter, stipulating stricter fitness criteria for combat roles. Even now, many roles like special operations, infantry, and pararescue have separate, higher-level requirements that include mental and psychological evaluations alongside physical tests. These standards do not vary by age or gender: for example, candidates aiming to be Army Green Berets or Navy SEALs must pass demanding months-long qualification courses.
Following the decision to allow women in all combat roles, the Army established universal fitness standards for each military job irrespective of age or gender. Aspirants for infantry or armor positions must clear a specific physical assessment to qualify for those roles. Likewise, the Marine Corps mandates extensive fitness benchmarks for roles within its special operations and combat spheres.
The memo reiterates existing higher fitness requirements for special operations and highlights the need for Navy divers and explosive ordnance disposal technicians to possess proficiency in capabilities like water rescue and demolition — skills already mandated. This directive sets a 60-day deadline for service leaders to propose changes and a 30-day period for submitting interim reports.
“Given the evolving nature of warfare and growing demands on our service members, it is essential to review and revise physical fitness standards to bolster our readiness and effectiveness,” stated the Secretary in the memo.