Pentagon adopts gender-neutral fitness standards for combat-arms personnel
The Department of Defense has issued a new policy that requires identical physical-fitness and body-composition standards for men and women serving in combat-arms roles.
The Pentagon has formalized a "sex-neutral" physical-fitness regime for all combat-arms occupations across the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force, covering roles from infantry soldiers to Navy SEALs and combat rescue officers. The new 22-page DOD Physical Fitness/Body Composition Program requires commanders to provide daily workout periods and introduces waist-to-height ratio standards, aiming for a target below 0.55 for every service member.
Combat-arms troops must meet an average of 70% on their service-specific fitness tests, with age adjustments permitted, while non-combat positions continue to use gender-adjusted criteria. The policy also mandates biannual fitness assessments for active-duty personnel and annual tests for National Guard and Reserve members, and it grants a 12-month postpartum exemption with medical clearance. This update supersedes the 2022 standards and follows Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s 2025 memo reviewing fitness requirements since 2015.
Why it matters
Uniform fitness standards affect readiness and gender equity in U.S. combat forces.
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