ARMY SAYS, WOMEN IN COMBAT ROLES MUST NOW PASS THE SAME ARMY FITNESS TEST AS MEN

The Army will now require women in combat roles to pass the same “sex-neutral” fitness test as their male counterparts, starting in the summer.

The recently announced Army Fitness Test (AFT) is the official physical fitness test of record for all Soldiers, and it will replace the Army Combat Fitness Test starting on June 1st.

The changes are because Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered a review of the physical standards for military combat roles to make sure the women in combat aren’t given a lower fitness standard.

What Is the Army Fitness Test?

The Army is replacing the current military physical test, which is the Army Combat Fitness Test, with the new version that was announced on Monday, now called the Army Fitness Test.

This test, however, still includes hard workouts like deadlifts, push-ups, planks, a two-mile run, and more.

The Army wrote in a statement that the new fitness test is designed, “to enhance Soldier fitness, improve warfighting readiness, and increase the lethality of the force,” which will begin on June 1st this year.

Just like the old one, it will still be given to active-duty members twice a year and once a year to National Guard and reserve troops. Active-duty members can also be removed from the Army if they fail the test twice.

The new test has removed the standing power throw, which is an event that is sometimes called the ball, and most service members actually don’t like it because to do this, they have to throw a 10-pound medicine ball backward over their heads.

Additionally, the biggest change will be how the test is being scored for a twenty-one close combat that is said to be included in heavy fights in wartime.

What Will Women Have to Do Under the New Standard?

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered a review of the physical standards for women to make sure that they don’t receive a lower fitness standard. The biggest overall change will be in how the test is scored for 21 close combat occupations that are likely to be involved in heavy fighting in wartime.

This means that women who are in these categories will be graded on a "male" scale, which is expected to reduce the number of women who meet the requirements.

Now, women in combat roles are required to do the following:

1. Women ages 17 to 21 must do a lift with at least a weight of at least 140 pounds, which was originally 120 pounds under the old standard.
2. They will need to run two miles in 22 minutes, with the old standard being 23 minutes and 22 seconds.

These changes are being made to reflect the physical demands of combat and to make sure that women in combat are ready if the time comes.

Hegseth Backtracks on Women in Combat Statement

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made the order to review the physical tests, saying that now was the perfect time to remove the basic physical standard that was allowed for women in combat.

Hegseth once criticized the women in combat, saying that women shouldn’t be allowed to serve in combat roles. In a recent book, he wrote, "women cannot physically meet the same standards as men."

He later backtracked on this statement saying, “If we have the right standard and women meet that standard, Roger, let’s go.”

What This Change Means for the Women in Combat

For the women in combat, of course, this change brings a new set of challenges. However, it might feel unfair to some, especially if they really trained hard under the old standards. For others, this might be a chance to prove that they are just as capable as their male counterparts.

With this new change, the Army is working to build a stronger and more ready force, but it’s also important to watch how these changes will affect women’s careers, the recruitment numbers, and the culture inside the military.

On the other hand, the new fitness standards are changing the way we think about women in combat because women who can meet these standards can now show that physical ability is what really matters on the battlefield.

Read next:

• Women Veterans Should Know About These Available Resources and Benefits
• EduFit: Personalized Fitness for the Military Community
• The Army Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) Initiative Is Getting a Boost

Sources:

• Army Announces New ‘Sex-Neutral’ Combat Fitness Test