Hegseth Comes Back Swinging: Pentagon Orders Equal Combat Standards for Men and Women

For years, military combat roles held men and women to different physical standards. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is ending that policy—demanding one high bar for all.

Key Facts:

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed a memo on Sunday ordering sex-neutral standards for combat roles.
The Pentagon released the memo Monday, directing all military branches to create occupation-specific plans.
Hegseth criticized previous administrations for letting standards “slip” and pushing unequal expectations.
The memo demands that combat arms standards reflect real battlefield demands—not gender.
Hegseth has led a broader review to reverse “woke” policies and restore a tougher military ethos.

The Rest of The Story:

In a video filmed after a trip to Japan, Hegseth made clear that the military’s physical readiness had been weakened by allowing different standards for men and women in combat positions.

He called this “not acceptable” and stated that combat performance must be based entirely on operational demands—not sex.

The memo outlines that military departments must distinguish between combat and non-combat roles and build standards that match the physical realities of each.

Entry and ongoing physical fitness benchmarks must now be sex-neutral, and no service member may be held to a lower bar due to their gender.

This order follows an earlier directive from Hegseth in January calling for a comprehensive review of military readiness, including grooming and fitness standards.

That memo declared a renewed focus on restoring the warrior ethos, unity, and mission effectiveness.

For far too long, we have allowed standards to slip. We’ve had different standards for men/women serving in combat arms MOS’s and jobs….

That’s not acceptable, and it changes right now! pic.twitter.com/Zn9OyBew6G

— Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (@SecDef) March 31, 2025

Commentary:

Hegseth’s order marks a significant course correction after years of blurred lines between readiness and political correctness.

Combat is not a social experiment—it’s war.

When lives are on the line, everyone must meet the same physical expectations, period.

For too long, the military lowered the bar in the name of inclusion.

But that approach puts real people at risk.

It also undermines the credibility of women who can meet the same standards as men.

Equal standards aren’t just fair—they’re necessary for trust and cohesion in the ranks.

Critics may argue this shift limits opportunity, but in truth, it creates clarity.

Those who serve in combat deserve teammates who are physically and mentally capable, not granted a pass based on identity politics.

Combat doesn’t care who you are—it demands strength, endurance, and resilience.

The Pentagon took a hit when past leadership ignored these realities, but Hegseth’s memo sends a clear message: the days of compromised standards are over.

By insisting on one high bar, he’s aiming to rebuild the military’s fighting edge and morale.

Reestablishing strict, sex-neutral standards isn’t discrimination—it’s discipline.

It tells the world that America is serious about its defense again.

That’s the kind of message our allies respect and our enemies fear.

The Bottom Line:

Hegseth’s new order resets the bar for combat readiness: one standard for all, no exceptions.

The military exists to win wars, not to accommodate social trends.

With this memo, the Pentagon takes a step back toward toughness, clarity, and mission-first leadership.