The Defense Department is conducting a comprehensive review of physical fitness standards across all combat roles.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has released a video about the changes in the department that are aimed at eliminating gender-based disparities in physical requirements for combat positions, a long-standing issue within the armed forces.

He assured that the physical requirements for combat roles are changing across all military branches. It’s a move Hegseth said should happen to make sure men and women meet the same “rigorous standards.”

“The Trump administration has made it clear that it is committed to correcting what it calls a “disparity.” “We’re fixing that,” Hegseth said in the video on Wednesday.

The new order will implement high physical standards for all military personnel.

“So this is a standard review looking at combat units, looking at men and women, no standards will be lowered, and we look forward to all our best warriors joining those units. It’s a review that’s important, long overdue and the kind of thing we promised inside the Trump administration,” Hegseth said in a video posted on X.

The overhaul aims to make certain all candidates meet the physical demands of the combat job, ensuring that soldiers are physically capable of handling the most demanding situations on the battlefield.

“This is about having the best possible units, the most lethal units,” Hegseth said. “We want our sons and daughters to have the opportunity to serve in combat positions that are physically demanding, and we want to ensure they’re ready to perform at the highest level.”

The review is a key part of the administration’s ongoing efforts to create a more “effective military force.”

“No standards will be lowered,” Hegseth said. “This review will ensure that only the best warriors, those capable of meeting the toughest physical requirements, will be joining these elite units.”

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