Pete Hegseth

Defense Sec. Pete Hegseth Announces New Memorandum on Combat Arms Standards

Washington, D.C. – March 31, 2025

In a video posted to social media, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the release of a new memorandum aimed at reinforcing equal and rigorous combat arms standards for all military personnel, regardless of gender.

Hegseth, speaking aboard a flight returning from Japan, emphasized the importance of maintaining high-performance benchmarks for military readiness and national defense.

"One Standard for All"

“For far too long, we allowed standards to slip, with different requirements for men and women in combat arms military occupational specialties (MOS). That’s not acceptable,” said Hegseth.

Under the new directive, the Department of Defense (DoD) will review and implement a unified standard for all combat roles, ensuring that every service member is measured equally based on their ability to perform essential tasks.

Strengthening U.S. Military Readiness

Hegseth made it clear that this decision is about combat effectiveness, ensuring that leaders and troops operating in high-stakes environments are the best-qualified individuals for the job.

“We need to have the same standard—male or female—for those in combat roles. This ensures our men and women have the strongest possible leaders and the highest standards based on performance, not sex.”

DoD Review and Implementation

The memorandum, signed by Hegseth on Sunday, directs all military branches to conduct a thorough review of current standards and make necessary adjustments to comply with the new policy.

The move is expected to reshape recruitment and training protocols, aligning with President Trump’s broader national defense policies.

What’s Next?

The Department of Defense will issue further guidance in the coming weeks regarding the timeline and implementation of these new standards across the armed forces.

Stay tuned for updates as the military adjusts to this historic shift in combat arms readiness.

FAQs: Defense Sec. Pete Hegseth’s New Memorandum on Combat Arms Standards

1. What did Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announce?

Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a new memorandum that enforces a single, equal standard for men and women in combat arms roles across all military branches.

2. Why is the military changing combat arms standards?

Hegseth stated that previous policies allowed different standards for men and women in combat roles, which compromised readiness and effectiveness. The new policy ensures that all service members are held to the same high-performance benchmarks.

3. Does this mean women are being removed from combat roles?

No. Women can still serve in combat roles if they meet the same physical and tactical standards as their male counterparts. This change is about ensuring equality in expectations, not exclusion.

4. How will this affect military training?

All branches of the military will review and adjust their training and qualification requirements to align with the new universal standard for combat roles. Expect changes in fitness tests, field exercises, and performance evaluations.

5. When will these new standards take effect?

The Department of Defense (DoD) is currently reviewing the memorandum, and implementation timelines will be announced in the coming weeks.

6. How will this impact military recruitment?

The policy may result in fewer individuals qualifying for combat roles, as standards will no longer be adjusted based on gender. However, this change is meant to ensure only the most capable service members enter combat positions.

7. How does this align with President Trump’s defense policies?

The Trump administration has prioritized military strength, readiness, and merit-based advancement. This policy follows that approach by eliminating gender-based adjustments in combat roles and focusing on performance-driven criteria.

8. Has the military used different combat standards before?

Yes. Historically, the military has had separate physical requirements for men and women in combat positions. This new policy removes those distinctions and enforces a single, equal standard.

9. What impact will this have on U.S. military effectiveness?

Hegseth believes that raising and unifying combat standards will lead to a stronger, more capable force by ensuring that every service member in a combat role is fully prepared for the physical and operational demands of warfare.

10. Will this policy affect non-combat military roles?

No. The memorandum specifically targets combat arms military occupational specialties (MOS), meaning non-combat jobs in the military will remain unchanged. 

For far too long, we have allowed standards to slip. We’ve had different standards for men/women serving in combat arms MOS’s and jobs….

That’s not acceptable, and it changes right now! pic.twitter.com/Zn9OyBew6G

— Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (@SecDef) March 31, 2025