Trump appointee Pete Hegseth is shaking up the Pentagon with a sweeping review of military fitness and grooming standards that could restore traditional combat readiness. The Defense Secretary’s directive aims to establish gender-neutral requirements for combat roles while potentially rolling back controversial DEI-inspired changes made during the Biden administration.
Restoring Combat Readiness
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is taking decisive action to address what many military experts see as a dangerous erosion of standards. The former Fox News host and Army combat veteran has directed a comprehensive review of fitness and grooming requirements across all service branches.
The Pentagon memo specifically targets standards that have been in place since January 1, 2015, when the Obama administration opened all combat roles to women. This review comes as the military struggles with recruiting shortfalls after implementing various progressive policies during the Biden years.
Gender-Neutral Combat Standards
Hegseth has made it clear he wants identical standards for men and women in combat positions. “We need to have the same standard, male or female, in our combat roles,” Hegseth stated in his directive.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the Pentagon to review the military's standards on body composition, grooming, and physical fitness that were loosened under former President Joe Biden. https://t.co/AEX7CjTrZv
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The review targets the loosening of standards that critics say has prioritized diversity goals over combat effectiveness. Some military branches have relaxed grooming standards in recent years, allowing women to wear earrings, men to use nail polish, and increasing allowable body fat percentages for Air Force recruits.
America First Military Readiness
Hegseth’s approach reflects the Trump administration’s focus on battlefield effectiveness over social engineering. “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,” Hegseth emphasized.
“Our adversaries are not growing weaker, and our tasks are not growing less challenging. This review will illuminate how the Department has maintained the level of standards required over the recent past and the trajectory of any change in those standards.”
The Army’s previous attempt to implement job-specific fitness standards through the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) faced significant hurdles. The ACFT has been criticized from both sides – for having low baseline requirements that some say compromise readiness, and for setting unrealistically high benchmarks for top scores.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday ordered a Pentagon-wide review of the physical fitness, body composition and grooming standards currently in place in the armed forces.
Hegseth’s directive comes after the Biden administration loosened restrictions on various grooming…
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Military leaders recognize the importance of maintaining high standards amid increasing global threats from China, Russia, Iran and other adversaries. Gen. David W. Allvin of the Air Force highlighted this sentiment: “Complying with and enforcing standards demonstrates shared commitment to our winning team, as well as an understanding of the gravity of our profession in today’s volatile security environment.”
The implementation of gender-neutral combat standards could significantly reduce the number of women qualifying for elite combat positions. This outcome aligns with Hegseth’s previously stated position opposing women serving in combat roles, a stance shared by many military traditionalists concerned about battlefield effectiveness.
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Pentagon chief orders review of fitness, grooming standards