Hegseth Orders Equal Combat Standards for Men, Women

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a new memorandum establishing equal combat standards for both men and women in the U.S. military. Hegseth emphasized the need to maintain high standards without differentiating based on sex, aiming to ensure the best leadership and efficacy in combat roles. This move follows his previous review of military standards to eliminate 'woke' policies and restore the warrior ethos. Hegseth, who had initially expressed reservations about women in combat roles, adjusted his stance during his Senate confirmation, advocating for uniform standards that enhance military effectiveness. The policy change comes after studies showed discrepancies in performance between gender-integrated and all-male units, and varying success rates in fitness tests. This initiative aligns with Hegseth's broader strategy to bolster U.S. military capabilities, especially in light of geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.