The new Army Fitness Test comes after Pete Hegseth, the defense secretary, ordered the elimination of lower fitness standards for women in combat roles.

The U.S. Army will soon require women in combat roles to meet the same physical fitness standards as men, a policy shift effective June 1st, with full enforcement by January 2026. This follows Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's directive to eliminate gender-based scoring differences.

Army fitness test changes will mean “sex-neutral” standards for soldiers in 21 combat jobs while nixing the standing power throw.