SaralnamaUS Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced that the US military will require combatants to meet the "highest male standard" in physical fitness tests, acknowledging that the move may exclude some women from serving. "Standards must be uniform, gender neutral, and high," Hegseth told military top brass in an unusual address at a base near Washington DC. Before a crowd of hundreds of military leaders, the defence secretary outlined his visions for cultural shift at the Pentagon and a greater "warrior ethos". He was echoed by US President Donald Trump, who spoke afterwards. Generals and admirals stationed around the world listened silently to the two men's remarks. Security was extremely tight for the summit at Marine Corps Base Quantico, a sprawling 55,000-acre facility in Virginia. The summit represented a rare gathering of so many senior personnel in one place. No… (Updated 30 Sep 2025, 21:52 IST; source: link)
Key Points
- US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced that the US military will require combatants to meet the "highest male standard" in physical fitness tests, acknowledging that the move may exclude some women from serving
- "Standards must be uniform, gender neutral, and high," Hegseth told military top brass in an unusual address at a base near Washington DC
- Before a crowd of hundreds of military leaders, the defence secretary outlined his visions for cultural shift at the Pentagon and a greater "warrior ethos"