Will the Army’s new gender-neutral fitness test hurt women in combat roles?

The Army is implementing new gender-neutral fitness test standards for service members in combat roles. Beginning June 1, both men and women in 21 combat specialty positions will have to lift the same weights, finish events in the same time, and ultimately achieve the same minimum scores to pass. 

Previously, passing scores were gender-specific, so women could lift lighter weights and finish with slower times, but no more. The men’s scale is the new minimum for everyone. 

SAN compared the new standards to the average scores of previous years to find out. We’re using the average scores for all Army and National Guard positions, so these averages include those in noncombat roles who have lower standards. We’re also using a score chart for 17 to 21-year-olds. The standards will remain age-specific. 

The new minimum time is 22:00, so at the current average time, women have 1:20 to spare. 

Women in the Army are already above and beyond the new standards. And again, those averages were for all female service members, not combat members who get more time to train, as well as job-specific training programs. 

Based on that, it doesn’t appear that anyone who wants to serve in a combat role will be unable to qualify. 

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