Women in U.S. Army combat roles will now be required to pass the same “sex-neutral” physical test as male soldiers, as announced by the military branch on Monday. This decision follows an order from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to eliminate lower physical fitness standards for women in combat positions. The new policy may impact the Army's ability to recruit and retain women in high-risk military jobs.
The Army Fitness Test will replace the Army Combat Fitness Test and is aimed at enhancing soldier fitness, improving warfighting readiness, and increasing the lethality of the force, according to the announcement. The new scoring standards will be phased in starting June 1.
Similar to its predecessor, the new test will be administered to active-duty soldiers twice a year and once annually for National Guard and Reserve troops. Soldiers who fail the test two consecutive times may face removal from the Army.
The new fitness test consists of five events: dead lifts, push-ups, planks, a two-mile run, and a workout involving sprints, sled drags, and kettlebell carries. Notably, the standing power throw event has been eliminated due to its unpopularity among service members.
A significant change in the new test will affect 21 close combat occupations, where women will be graded on the “male” scale. This adjustment is expected to reduce the number of women meeting the requirements. For instance, women aged 17 to 21 will now need to lift a minimum of 140 pounds in the dead lift event, an increase from the previous requirement of 120 pounds. Additionally, the two-mile run must be completed in 22 minutes, compared to the prior standard of 23 minutes and 22 seconds.
After the introduction of the new test in June, active-duty soldiers in the designated combat specialties will need to comply with the new standards by January 2026, while National Guard and Reserve troops will be required to meet them by June. Noncombat units will continue to be assessed based on sex and age, according to the Army. If a currently enlisted member of a close combat unit cannot pass the new test, they will be required to change their military occupation, as stated by Sgt. Maj. Christopher Mullinax.
This announcement comes three weeks after Secretary Hegseth ordered the removal of lower physical fitness standards for women in combat roles, reversing a 2022 decision that had eased these standards for women and older service members.
Hegseth, a former National Guard infantryman, has previously expressed opposition to the inclusion of women in certain combat roles. In a recent book, he stated that “women cannot physically meet the same standards as men.” However, he later clarified his stance, indicating that if appropriate standards are established and women can meet them, he supports their inclusion.