Sex-neutral army physical tests (3 Viewers)

[Mr Person]

Women in U.S. Army combat roles will be expected to pass the same “sex-neutral” physical test as male soldiers, that military branch announced on Monday, weeks after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the elimination of lower physical fitness standards for women in combat. The change could hinder the Army’s ability to recruit and retain women in particularly dangerous military jobs . . .Like its forerunner, the new test will be administered to active duty soldiers twice a year, and once per year to National Guard and Reserve troops. If soldiers fail the test two times in a row, they may be removed from the Army. The new fitness test is very similar to the previous one. It consists of five events: dead lifts, push-ups, planks, a two-mile run and a workout where soldiers sprint, then drag a weighted sled and carry kettlebells. . . . .​

​

Women in those categories will be graded on the “male” scale, which is likely to significantly reduce the number of them who meet the requirements. For example, to pass the dead lift event, women ages 17 to 21 will need to lift at least 140 pounds, instead of the 120 required under the old standards. They will also have to run two miles in 22 minutes, instead of 23 minutes and 22 seconds.​

[cont]

Female Soldiers Will Have to Pass ‘Sex-Neutral’ Physical Test, U.S. Army Says

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

www.nytimes.com

On the general question, this is one of the few things I've agreed with on the right. A given combat role has exactly the same physical demands no matter what sex you are, so the test should be sex-neutral. I have no problem with that. Anything else seems self-defeating.



What shocked me was the numbers.

A 140lb deadlift? That's..... nothing. That's barely even a warm-up amount of weight.

An 11 minute mile? That's slow as hell.

 

[ataraxia]

If anyone should know about women in the military in dangerous positions, it's the IDF. The results of their experiment? Women seem to do just fine. We have a recruitment problem in this country. We need anyone we can get. This nonsense is just American misogyny.

. .

 

[Mr Person]

This nonsense is just American misogyny.. .

It's "misogyny" not to lower requirements for females in combat roles?

A task that has to be performed in the field doesn't get any easier because a woman is doing it. It's going to take just as much effort no matter who does it. An enemy isn't going to go any easier on you because you have women in a unit. Some rocky terrain in Aghanistan isn't going to be any easier to haul a mortar up because a woman happens to be part of the mortar team. It makes sense to have one set of standards for anyone who is going to be performing that task.

The fact that Hegseth is a misogynist who doesn't want women in the military does not mean the concept of having the same physical standards is misogynistic.

 

[ataraxia]

It's "misogyny" not to lower requirements for females in combat roles?

No, the fact that they are getting rid of that is the misogyny.

 

[Mr Person]

It's "misogyny" not to lower requirements for females in combat roles?

A task that has to be performed in the field doesn't get any easier because a woman is doing it. It's going to take just as much effort no matter who does it. An enemy isn't going to go any easier on you because you have women in a unit. Some rocky terrain in Aghanistan isn't going to be any easier to haul a mortar up because a woman happens to be part of the mortar team. It makes sense to have one set of standards for anyone who is going to be performing that task.

The fact that Hegseth is a misogynist who doesn't want women in the military does not mean the concept of having the same physical standards is misogynistic.

No, the fact that they are getting rid of that is the misogyny.

Well, if you just want to grandstand and play games, I can't help you.

 

[Jason Warfield]

Women in U.S. Army combat roles will be expected to pass the same “sex-neutral” physical test as male soldiers, that military branch announced on Monday, weeks after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the elimination of lower physical fitness standards for women in combat. The change could hinder the Army’s ability to recruit and retain women in particularly dangerous military jobs . . .Like its forerunner, the new test will be administered to active duty soldiers twice a year, and once per year to National Guard and Reserve troops. If soldiers fail the test two times in a row, they may be removed from the Army. The new fitness test is very similar to the previous one. It consists of five events: dead lifts, push-ups, planks, a two-mile run and a workout where soldiers sprint, then drag a weighted sled and carry kettlebells. . . . .​

​

Women in those categories will be graded on the “male” scale, which is likely to significantly reduce the number of them who meet the requirements. For example, to pass the dead lift event, women ages 17 to 21 will need to lift at least 140 pounds, instead of the 120 required under the old standards. They will also have to run two miles in 22 minutes, instead of 23 minutes and 22 seconds.​

[cont]

Female Soldiers Will Have to Pass ‘Sex-Neutral’ Physical Test, U.S. Army Says

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

www.nytimes.com

On the general question, this is one of the few things I've agreed with on the right. A given combat role has exactly the same physical demands no matter what sex you are, so the test should be sex-neutral. I have no problem with that. Anything else seems self-defeating.



What shocked me was the numbers.

A 140lb deadlift? That's..... nothing. That's barely even a warm-up amount of weight.

An 11 minute mile? That's slow as hell.

Yeah, I have a woman veteran (she's in reserves now) in the family, I bet she laughed when she saw the new requirements. She goes to crossfit every am (early am) and enters into marathons and long distance swim races. While many women in the military probably aren't exercising to her level, they still work out and probably shrugged at the new requirements.

On a side note to this...if man transitions into a woman while in Army, while they will be separated out as a result...the right can no longer use the excuse of "unfairness" to women since everyone is graded on the same physical fitness scale now.

 

[noonereal]

Women in U.S. Army combat roles will be expected to pass the same “sex-neutral” physical test as male soldiers, that military branch announced on Monday, weeks after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the elimination of lower physical fitness standards for women in combat.

This should also be done in every fire house and police station.

 

[mike2810]

This should also be done in every fire house and police station.

It has been a common practice for a while for wildland firefighter having the same physical fitness test regardless of male or female.
In general, firefighters have the same physical fitness requirements for any applicant.

 

[BirdinHand]

For example, to pass the dead lift event, women ages 17 to 21 will need to lift at least 140 pounds, instead of the 120 required under the old standards. They will also have to run two miles in 22 minutes, instead of 23 minutes and 22 seconds.

I'm OLD and I walk 2 miles in about 28-30 minutes.

I would hope that our soldiers can run 2 miles in 22 minutes.

 

[OlNate]

Women in U.S. Army combat roles will be expected to pass the same “sex-neutral” physical test as male soldiers, that military branch announced on Monday, weeks after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the elimination of lower physical fitness standards for women in combat. The change could hinder the Army’s ability to recruit and retain women in particularly dangerous military jobs . . .Like its forerunner, the new test will be administered to active duty soldiers twice a year, and once per year to National Guard and Reserve troops. If soldiers fail the test two times in a row, they may be removed from the Army. The new fitness test is very similar to the previous one. It consists of five events: dead lifts, push-ups, planks, a two-mile run and a workout where soldiers sprint, then drag a weighted sled and carry kettlebells. . . . .​

​

Women in those categories will be graded on the “male” scale, which is likely to significantly reduce the number of them who meet the requirements. For example, to pass the dead lift event, women ages 17 to 21 will need to lift at least 140 pounds, instead of the 120 required under the old standards. They will also have to run two miles in 22 minutes, instead of 23 minutes and 22 seconds.​

[cont]

Female Soldiers Will Have to Pass ‘Sex-Neutral’ Physical Test, U.S. Army Says

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

www.nytimes.com

On the general question, this is one of the few things I've agreed with on the right. A given combat role has exactly the same physical demands no matter what sex you are, so the test should be sex-neutral. I have no problem with that. Anything else seems self-defeating.



What shocked me was the numbers.

A 140lb deadlift? That's..... nothing. That's barely even a warm-up amount of weight.

An 11 minute mile? That's slow as hell.

Ah, nice, a topic that doesn't look likely to devolve into Trump Sucks / Trump Rules...hehe...

I think the more important question here is, what are the actual physical requirements?

I think a big factor would be figuring out how much hand to hand combat a soldier could expect to see in modern warfare. This, to me, would be a driving factor in whether or not the current strength requirements are appropriate or an unfair deterent to keep women out of the military.

The desired progress for most war materials, after the obvious battle effectiveness, is to make things smaller, lighter, safer. The image of the soldier rushing a trench with bayonet attached feels a little outdated. In an age of drones, long range, precise missiles, and lighter kit, if soldiers are being measured up to standards from days of much more up close and personal fighting, it could be argued that even the men's requirements are too stringent.

I'm not really answering your question there, more just thinking of things to think about.

IF the phsyical requirements can be demonstrated as being vital to safety and survivability, well... I think the greater error is sending people (women or men) into combat against foes that easily outclass them because of some gap in physical superiority being driven by lax physical requirements.

 

[Mr Person]

This should also be done in every fire house and police station.

Judging by the men and women in blue, if physical standards were imposed we'd immediately lose something like 90% of the force. . . .

 

[noonereal]

Judging by the men and women in blue, if physical standards were imposed we'd immediately lose something like 90% of the force. . . .

Absolutely

 

[mike2810]

I'm OLD and I walk 2 miles in about 28-30 minutes.

I would hope that our soldiers can run 2 miles in 22 minutes.

Federal wildland firefighers who work the fireline have to pass a pack test
3 miles in 45 minutes or less carrying a 45 pound pack.

Use to be able to do that but not any more. Like you I walk almost daily 2 miles in less than half hour.
ahh, to be young again.

 

[Cosmo]

If anyone should know about women in the military in dangerous positions, it's the IDF. The results of their experiment? Women seem to do just fine. We have a recruitment problem in this country. We need anyone we can get.

No, we don't.

This nonsense is just American misogyny.

View attachment 67566522. View attachment 67566523. View attachment 67566524

 

[Infinite Chaos]

This should also be done in every fire house and police station.

The fire station I most often work out of here in the UK holds fitness entrance tests and the standard is the same across the genders. You have to carry the equivalent of a set of Holmatro cutters a specific distance, there's the beep test and the two person Light Portable Pump carry - again over pre-specified distance.

I would hope that our soldiers can run 2 miles in 22 minutes.

Depends what they are carrying but I get where you are going with that. I remember being part of a group lugging around bergens loaded with sand for extra ballast and 2 miles at first was pretty damn hard.

 

[rahl]

Yeah, I have a woman veteran (she's in reserves now) in the family, I bet she laughed when she saw the new requirements. She goes to crossfit every am (early am) and enters into marathons and long distance swim races. While many women in the military probably aren't exercising to her level, they still work out and probably shrugged at the new requirements.

On a side note to this...if man transitions into a woman while in Army, while they will be separated out as a result...the right can no longer use the excuse of "unfairness" to women since everyone is graded on the same physical fitness scale now.

It’s not possible for a man to transition into a woman

 

[Rich2018]

​

A 140lb deadlift? That's..... nothing. That's barely even a warm-up amount of weight.

An 11 minute mile? That's slow as hell.

So what would you propose ?

 

[Lord of Planar]

Women in U.S. Army combat roles will be expected to pass the same “sex-neutral” physical test as male soldiers, that military branch announced on Monday, weeks after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the elimination of lower physical fitness standards for women in combat. The change could hinder the Army’s ability to recruit and retain women in particularly dangerous military jobs . . .Like its forerunner, the new test will be administered to active duty soldiers twice a year, and once per year to National Guard and Reserve troops. If soldiers fail the test two times in a row, they may be removed from the Army. The new fitness test is very similar to the previous one. It consists of five events: dead lifts, push-ups, planks, a two-mile run and a workout where soldiers sprint, then drag a weighted sled and carry kettlebells. . . . .​

​

Women in those categories will be graded on the “male” scale, which is likely to significantly reduce the number of them who meet the requirements. For example, to pass the dead lift event, women ages 17 to 21 will need to lift at least 140 pounds, instead of the 120 required under the old standards. They will also have to run two miles in 22 minutes, instead of 23 minutes and 22 seconds.​

[cont]

Female Soldiers Will Have to Pass ‘Sex-Neutral’ Physical Test, U.S. Army Says

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

www.nytimes.com

On the general question, this is one of the few things I've agreed with on the right. A given combat role has exactly the same physical demands no matter what sex you are, so the test should be sex-neutral. I have no problem with that. Anything else seems self-defeating.



What shocked me was the numbers.

A 140lb deadlift? That's..... nothing. That's barely even a warm-up amount of weight.

An 11 minute mile? That's slow as hell.

It's about time we start taking equality serious.

 

[Lord of Planar]

This should also be done in every fire house and police station.

Absolutely.

Let there be true equality instead of a token like the left loves.

 

[CaughtInThe]

Why aren't all of the requirements the same as what the Navy Seals have to go through?

 

[Lord of Planar]

Why aren't all of the requirements the same as what the Navy Seals have to go through?

LOL...

Are you serious? They are the best of the best. They will max out all the regular requirements.

 

[Oozlefinch]

I think a big factor would be figuring out how much hand to hand combat a soldier could expect to see in modern warfare.

Nope, that has not a damned thing to do with it. A lot of it is simple upper body strength and core strength.

Being in the military (especially combat arms) is a very demanding job. Consider that just the "basic working uniform" for such people in a combat environment is going to be in excess of 100 pounds. And you can roughly double that when they have to be wearing their pack with all of the field gear needed. And if in a "Weapons Team", add another 50-75 pounds.

Now imagine having to do a 10 mile forced march (roughly 5 miles in an hour, every hour) while lugging with you 200+ pounds of equipment.

 

[CaughtInThe]

LOL...

Are you serious? They are the best of the best. They will max out all the regular requirements.

Yeah, I'm serious. Why the different requirement for different men?

 

[Lord of Planar]

Yeah, I'm serious. Why the different requirement for different men?

Different job. Just that simple.

 

[braindrain]

Yeah, I'm serious. Why the different requirement for different men?

Because they do a different job to a different standard. That this needs to be explained to you shows either incredible ignorance or outright dishonesty on your part.