Hegseth ends separate standards for women in combat roles

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Monday announced that the Pentagon would end the practice of setting separate physical fitness standards for women to serve in combat roles.

"All combat roles are open to men and women BUT they must all meet the same, high standard. No standards will be lowered AND all combat roles will only have sex-neutral standards. Common sense," he posted on X. Prior to his nomination, Hegseth opposed women serving in combat roles entirely, though he moderated his view amid talks with senators.

"Different physical standards for men and women in the U.S. military have existed for a long time," he added. "BUT, there were also combat roles that were male-only.

Then, under Obama, all combat roles were opened to men AND women. BUT, different physical fitness standards for men and women remained.

Today at [the Department of Defense — we fix this."

The move comes as Hegseth works to remove social indoctrination and engineering programs from the military and move toward a merit-based, apolitical armed forces with an emphasis on warfighting.