'No Special Treatment': Female Veterans Respond to Hegseth's Combat Standards Claims

Tue Oct 21 2025 08:29:14 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Female veterans in the U.S. military challenge Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth's assertion that standards for combat roles would revert to 'male-only' requirements, arguing that such standards have always been gender-neutral.

Following Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth's recent remarks about reverting combat role requirements to higher male standards, female veterans have voiced their concerns. They assert that the standards for military roles have always been the same regardless of gender. Elisa Cardnell and Amy McGarth, both former military members, emphasized that combat assessments have no gender distinction, disputing the notion that women have requested special treatment. Their responses call for gender-neutral evaluations to uphold military effectiveness.

Women who served in the US military are pushing back against Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth's announcement that the requirements for combat roles will 'return to the highest male standard', saying the standards have always been the same for men and women.

None of us have ever asked for special treatment, Elisa Cardnell, who served in the US Navy for eleven years, told the BBC.

Speaking to hundreds of generals on Tuesday, Hegseth reiterated his beliefs that the military had lowered standards to accommodate women, putting service members at risk. His new directives would bring them back to a higher level, he stated. If it means no women qualify for combat jobs, then so be it, he declared.

Despite this assertion, he maintained that women would not be excluded from the armed forces altogether.

In January, Hegseth narrowly secured Senate approval to lead the Pentagon, with many lawmakers concerned about his views on women in the military. During a recent meeting, he communicated to generals ten directives, including the controversial 'male standard.'

Outrage followed from some female veterans.

I am sick and tired of Pete Hegseth lying about women in the military and standards, said former US Marine fighter pilot Amy McGarth in a video. There has always been one standard for those jobs. There was never a man’s standard or a woman’s standard for flying a jet.

Cardnell concurred, highlighting that combat roles do not factor in gender or age during assessments. She explained that combat standards vary depending on the unit, but everyone must pass the same test.

These standards have always been gender neutral, and they have always been set at a high standard. Of course, not all women are going to make those, but not all men do either, she noted.

The annual physical tests for all service members, which include standard exercises, do differ based on age and gender. Nonetheless, Cardnell emphasized that it’s premature to determine if Hegseth will implement sweeping changes to military assessment protocols.

In his address, Hegseth stated, Any place where tried-and-true physical standards were altered, especially since 2015, must be returned to their original standard. This referenced a directive from former Defence Secretary Ash Carter, which ensured military jobs remained accessible to women as long as they met the requirements.

Hegseth's comments mark an effort to reform military requirements and criticize previous policies; however, they are met with mixed responses from within the military community. For instance, GOP representatives like Sheri Biggs and Nancy Mace voiced their support, arguing that returning to stringent standards prioritizes military readiness and effectiveness.

Overall, as these discussions unfold, the implications for future female service members and the military culture at large are becoming major points of contention.