US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced a major change in military fitness standards. He has ordered that all combat positions, including special operations and infantry, must have gender-neutral fitness requirements.

Hegseth believes that training standards have been lowered to include women in combat roles. In a memo released on Monday, he directed military leaders to clearly define combat jobs and ensure that physical fitness requirements match the demands of those roles. The memo states that all combat fitness standards must be based only on the job’s operational needs and the military’s readiness.

Posting on X, Hegseth said, “For far too long, we have allowed standards to slip. We’ve had different standards for men and women in combat roles. That’s not acceptable, and it changes right now!”

Speaking on a podcast with Shawn Ryan on November 7, Hegseth openly opposed women serving in combat roles. He said their inclusion has not made the military more effective or deadly but has made fighting more complicated. While he acknowledged that women have a role in the military, he said they should not be in special operations, artillery, infantry, or armor units.

He also shared a personal perspective, saying, “Dads push us to take risks. Moms put the training wheels on our bikes. We need moms, but not in the military, especially in combat units.”

Hegseth’s stance has sparked strong reactions, with some agreeing that combat standards should not be lowered, while others argue that women have proven their ability to serve in combat roles.