U.S. Army Implements ‘Sex-Neutral’ Physical Test for Women in Combat Roles

Starting this June, women in U.S. Army combat roles will be required to pass the same “sex-neutral” physical fitness test as their male counterparts. This shift in policy follows a directive from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who ordered the removal of the lower physical fitness standards previously applied to women in combat positions.

The updated test, known as the Army Fitness Test, replaces the Army Combat Fitness Test and is designed to enhance overall soldier fitness, improve warfighting readiness, and increase the combat effectiveness of the Army. The new scoring standards will be phased in starting on June 1, 2025.

The Army Fitness Test consists of five components: deadlifts, push-ups, planks, a two-mile run, and a workout involving sprinting, dragging a weighted sled, and carrying kettlebells. Notably, the standing power throw, a controversial event, has been removed from the test due to its unpopularity among service members.

The key change in the new fitness test is that women in 21 close combat roles will now be graded on the same physical standards as men. For example, women in the 17-21 age range will be required to deadlift at least 140 pounds, an increase from the previous 120-pound standard. Additionally, women will need to complete the two-mile run in 22 minutes, compared to 23 minutes and 22 seconds under the old rules.

This overhaul could present a challenge for the Army in recruiting and retaining women for physically demanding roles, as the new standards may be more difficult for many women to meet. If soldiers fail the test twice in a row, they may be removed from the Army.