U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has introduced new rules according to which the physical fitness requirements for combat positions in the U.S. Army must be "gender neutral." This means that the standards of physical fitness for men and women will now be the same, without any lowered requirements for women. Such a decision is likely to significantly reduce the number of women able to meet these requirements.
Pete Hegseth, a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, was appointed US Secretary of Defense on January 25, 2025. In his decision, he stressed the need to "restore the spirit of the warrior and rebuild the armed forces," as well as support for deterring external threats. The introduction of neutral physical fitness requirements is part of his plan to reform the armed forces and increase their combat readiness.
This decision caused an active discussion in the society. On the one hand, supporters of gender equality criticize Hegseth for the fact that his measures may limit the opportunities of women in the armed forces. On the other hand, many military experts support him, pointing out that combat positions require a high level of physical fitness, regardless of gender.
Thus, the new Pentagon decision may be an important step in reforming the US armed forces, but its implications for the gender balance in the army have yet to be assessed.
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