Latest news with #ArmyCombatFitnessTest
New York Post
23-05-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Can you pass the new Army fitness test?
'Army Strong' is more than just a tagline — for soldiers, it's a requirement for duty. The U.S. Army requires that all active-duty soldiers prove their physical prowess by passing a rigorous fitness test. There have been multiple versions of the test over the years, and the Army recently announced that a new version has been adopted. On June 1, 2025, the military branch will roll out its new Army Fitness Test (AFT) as a replacement for the current Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT). The new test, based on '18 months of data analysis and feedback from thousands of test iterations,' will introduce updated scoring standards that emphasize 'readiness and combat effectiveness,' according to an Army press release. Soldiers will have until Jan. 1, 2026, to meet the new AFT requirements without facing 'adverse actions.' AFT scores are recorded during basic training for soldiers and initial training for officers, the Army states on its website. Active-duty soldiers are required to complete the test twice a year, while soldiers in the Army Reserve and Army National Guard must record scores once a year. 'The AFT is designed to improve soldier readiness and ensure physical standards [and] prepare soldiers for the demands of modern warfare,' said Sgt. Maj Christopher Mullinax, senior enlisted leader, deputy chief of staff for Operations, Army Headquarters, in the release. 6 On June 1, 2025, the military branch will roll out its new Army Fitness Test (AFT) as a replacement for the current Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT). WavebreakmediaMicro – 'It emphasizes holistic fitness over event-specific training and is grounded in performance.' Scoring requirements are more demanding for the new test, with soldiers in combat roles held to the highest standards. 'Combat standards are sex-neutral for the 21 direct combat roles, a change designed to ensure fairness and operational readiness,' the release states. 5 components of the test The AFT consists of the following five events, as described on the Army's website. 6 Active-duty soldiers are required to complete the test twice a year, while soldiers in the Army Reserve and Army National Guard must record scores once a year. WavebreakMediaMicro – 1. Three-repetition maximum deadlift In this challenge, the soldier must lift the maximum weight possible three times using a 60-pound hex bar and plates. This move assesses muscular strength, balance, and flexibility. 'Deadlifts require a person to recruit glute and hamstring strength in order to lift a barbell off the ground to waist height,' said Miles Hill, a certified personal trainer and boxing instructor at Rumble in New York City. 'It is the most effective technique for picking heavy weights off the ground.' The deadlift can also be dangerous for civilians if they use improper form, warned Dr. Hooman Melamed, an orthopedic spine surgeon and sports medicine expert from Beverly Hills. 'If your posture or form is off, the risk to your lower back and hips is high — it could be a career-ending injury for some,' he told Fox News Digital. 2. Hand-release push-up The soldier must complete as many hand-release push-ups as possible in two minutes, using proper technique. 'Hand release push-ups require a person to drop all the way to the ground, lift their hands in the air for a second, and then push themselves back up to high plank,' said Hill, who is also a second-degree black belt in Taekwondo. Melamed noted that while hand-release push-ups are great for building upper body strength, if the person is not already strong, the sudden force can damage the shoulders. The hand-release push-up tests muscular endurance and flexibility. 3. Sprint-drag-carry With the sprint-drag-carry (SDC), the soldier is tasked with completing five 50-meter shuttles (sprint, drag, lateral, carry, sprint) as quickly as possible, using two 40-pound kettlebells and a 90-pound sled. 6 The new test will introduce updated scoring standards that emphasize 'readiness and combat effectiveness,' according to an Army press release. WavebreakMediaMicro – 'The sprint-drag-carry is probably the toughest sequence here, since it requires explosive strength, muscular endurance, and cardiovascular endurance,' Hill said. Melamed calls the SDC a 'brutal test of speed and explosive power.' 'If you're not conditioned, tearing a hamstring or pulling something mid-run can happen,' he said. 4. Plank The soldier must maintain a proper plank position for as long as possible, testing muscular endurance and balance. 6 Soldiers will have until Jan. 1, 2026, to meet the new AFT requirements without facing 'adverse actions.' LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS – 'A plank is an ultimate test of core strength and endurance, as it requires a person to hold their body weight for as long as they can,' said Hill. 'It can be challenging, but it is the time requirement that determines the challenge.' Melamed noted that while this move looks simple, holding a proper plank for time is extremely challenging. 'It exposes weaknesses in the back, core, and shoulder girdle.' 5. Two-mile run The soldier must complete a timed two-mile run on a flat outdoor course in a test of aerobic endurance. 'Two-mile runs are relatively easy for any able-bodied human; however, the time constraints are what make it challenging,' Hill said. The standing power throw event, which was part of the previous version of the test, is no longer included as a requirement. 'We eliminated the standing power throw because it wasn't effectively promoting fitness and readiness as well as we would like,' Mullinax said. 'Furthermore, it presented an elevated risk of overuse injury and encouraged soldiers to focus on technique rather than demonstrating true power.' How tough is it? The toughness of a workout or fitness test is relative to the overall fitness of an individual, according to Dr. Jason Perry, M.D., primary care sports medicine physician with Baptist Health Orthopedic Care in Deerfield Beach, Florida. 'Generally speaking, the AFT is challenging, but not impossible for the average person with a basic fitness foundation,' Perry, who is unaffiliated with the Army, told Fox News Digital. 'It's designed to test full-body strength, muscular endurance, speed, agility, and cardiovascular stamina — all elements essential for combat readiness, but also relevant to functional fitness for civilians.' Compared to a typical gym workout, the AFT is more demanding because it combines different physical domains into one test, he said. 'Compared to elite athletic training, it's moderate—but not easy,' Perry added. For civilians who regularly strength train, run, or do functional workouts (like CrossFit or HIIT), this test is well within reach, he said. 6 AFT scores are recorded during basic training for soldiers and initial training for officers, the Army states on its website. DZiegler – For a civilian who exercises three to four times a week, the AFT is 'realistically achievable' with focused training over an eight- to 12-week period. 'About 30 to 50% of healthy, recreationally active adults could likely pass it with little to moderate training,' he predicted. 'Sedentary adults or those with chronic conditions would have a harder time and would likely need a focused eight-to-12-week (or possibly longer) conditioning plan to pass.' Melamed wasn't quite as optimistic, estimating that less than 5% of civilians could pass the AFT. 'These aren't weekend-warrior workouts — this is military-level conditioning,' he told Fox News Digital. 'You have to work your way up to this level of intensity training.' 6 For a civilian who exercises three to four times a week, the AFT is 'realistically achievable' with focused training over an eight- to 12-week period, according to reports. vectorfusionart – The expert also noted that there is a mental component to the test, but said mindset alone isn't enough. 'If you try this unprepared, you could get seriously hurt,' he cautioned. 'It's doable — but only with smart, progressive training. You have to work up to it gradually.' 'And this test is as much about strategy and recovery as it is about raw strength.'
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Army unveils new fitness test with tougher standards — could you pass it?
"Army Strong" is more than just a tagline — for soldiers, it's a requirement for duty. The U.S. Army requires that all active-duty soldiers prove their physical prowess by passing a rigorous fitness test. There have been multiple versions of the test over the years — and the Army recently announced that a new version has been adopted. On June 1, 2025, the military branch will roll out its new Army Fitness Test (AFT) as a replacement for the current Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT). Walking Certain Number Of Steps Daily Reduces Cancer Risk, Oxford Study Finds The new test — based on "18 months of data analysis and feedback from thousands of test iterations" — will introduce updated scoring standards that emphasize "readiness and combat effectiveness," according to an Army press release. Soldiers will have until Jan. 1, 2026, to meet the new AFT requirements without facing "adverse actions." Read On The Fox News App AFT scores are recorded during basic training for soldiers and initial training for officers, the Army states on its website. Active-duty soldiers are required to complete the test twice a year, while soldiers in the Army Reserve and Army National Guard must record scores once a year. Exercise Can Prevent Cognitive Decline Even When Energy Lags, Researchers Discover "The AFT is designed to improve soldier readiness and ensure physical standards [and] prepare soldiers for the demands of modern warfare," said Sgt. Maj. Christopher Mullinax, senior enlisted leader, deputy chief of staff for Operations, Army Headquarters, in the release. "It emphasizes holistic fitness over event-specific training and is grounded in performance." Scoring requirements are more demanding for the new test, with soldiers in combat roles held to the highest standards. "Combat standards are sex-neutral for the 21 direct combat roles, a change designed to ensure fairness and operational readiness," the release states. The AFT consists of the following five events, as described on the Army's website. In this challenge, the soldier must lift the maximum weight possible three times using a 60-pound hex bar and plates. This move assesses muscular strength, balance and flexibility. "Deadlifts require a person to recruit glute and hamstring strength in order to lift a barbell off the ground to waist height," said Miles Hill, a certified personal trainer and boxing instructor at Rumble in New York City. "It is the most effective technique for picking heavy weights off the ground." The deadlift can also be dangerous for civilians if they use improper form, warned Dr. Hooman Melamed, an orthopedic spine surgeon and sport medicine expert from Beverly Hills. "If your posture or form is off, the risk to your lower back and hips is high — it could be a career-ending injury for some," he told Fox News Digital. The soldier must complete as many hand-release push-ups as possible in two minutes, using proper technique. "Hand release push-ups require a person to drop all the way to the ground, lift their hands in the air for a second, and then push themselves back up to high plank," said Hill, who is also a second-degree black belt in Taekwondo. Nypd Detective Shares Grueling Workouts To Motivate Cops To Get In Shape Melamed noted that while hand-release push-ups are great for building upper body strength, if the person is not already strong, the sudden force can damage the shoulders. The hand-release push-up tests muscular endurance and flexibility. With the sprint-drag-carry (SDC), the soldier is tasked with completing five 50-meter shuttles (sprint, drag, lateral, carry, sprint) as quickly as possible, using two 40-pound kettlebells and a 90-pound sled. "The sprint-drag-carry is probably the toughest sequence here, since it requires explosive strength, muscular endurance and cardiovascular endurance," Hill said. Melamed calls the SDC a "brutal test of speed and explosive power." "If you're not conditioned, tearing a hamstring or pulling something mid-run can happen," he said. The soldier must maintain a proper plank position for as long as possible, testing muscular endurance and balance. "A plank is an ultimate test of core strength and endurance, as it requires a person to hold their body weight for as long as they can," said Hill. "It can be challenging, but it is the time requirement that determines the challenge." Crunches By Age: Here's How Many You Should Be Able To Do Melamed noted that while this move looks simple, holding a proper plank for time is extremely challenging. "It exposes weaknesses in the back, core and shoulder girdle." The soldier must complete a timed two-mile run on a flat outdoor course in a test of aerobic endurance. "Two-mile runs are relatively easy for any able-bodied human — however, the time constraints are what make it challenging," Hill said. The standing power throw event, which was part of the previous version of the test, is no longer included as a requirement. "We eliminated the standing power throw because it wasn't effectively promoting fitness and readiness as well as we would like," Mullinax said. "Furthermore, it presented an elevated risk of overuse injury and encouraged soldiers to focus on technique rather than demonstrating true power." The toughness of a workout or fitness test is relative to the overall fitness of an individual, according to Dr. Jason Perry, M.D., primary care sports medicine physician with Baptist Health Orthopedic Care in Deerfield Beach, Florida. Stay Fit In Your 40S And Beyond With These Smart Workout Tips "Generally speaking, the AFT is challenging, but not impossible for the average person with a basic fitness foundation," Perry, who is unaffiliated with the Army, told Fox News Digital. "It's designed to test full-body strength, muscular endurance, speed, agility and cardiovascular stamina — all elements essential for combat readiness, but also relevant to functional fitness for civilians." Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter Compared to a typical gym workout, the AFT is more demanding because it combines different physical domains into one test, he said. "Compared to elite athletic training, it's moderate — but not easy," Perry added. For civilians who regularly strength train, run or do functional workouts (like CrossFit or HIIT), this test is well within reach, he said. For a civilian who exercises three to four times a week, the AFT is "realistically achievable" with focused training over an eight- to 12-week period. "About 30 to 50% of healthy, recreationally active adults could likely pass it with little to moderate training," he predicted. "Sedentary adults or those with chronic conditions would have a harder time and would likely need a focused eight- to 12-week (or possibly longer) conditioning plan to pass." Melamed wasn't quite as optimistic, estimating that less than 5% of civilians could pass the AFT. "These aren't weekend-warrior workouts — this is military-level conditioning," he told Fox News Digital. "You have to work your way up to this level of intensity training." The expert also noted that there is a mental component to the test, but said mindset alone isn't enough. For more Health articles, visit "If you try this unprepared, you could get seriously hurt," he cautioned. "It's doable — but only with smart, progressive training. You have to work up to it gradually." "And this test is as much about strategy and recovery as it is about raw strength."Original article source: Army unveils new fitness test with tougher standards — could you pass it?
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Ditching the standing power throw strengthens the Army fitness test
The recent removal of the standing power throw from the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) has prompted some to cry foul, as argued in an op-ed published last week in Military Times, claiming the move undermines a 'holistic' approach to soldier fitness. However, a closer look reveals that far from weakening the test, this decision reflects a more evidence-based, practical and strategically sound direction — one already embraced by elite military units and backed by sports science literature. While visually dramatic, the medicine ball throw demands a particular motor pattern — hurling a 10-pound object overhead and backward — that rewards practicing the specific skill more than developing fitness. Proponents argue it measures 'explosive power,' but they neglect to address a fundamental truth. There are better tools for this purpose, with greater field utility and scientific support. Defending the standing power throw: A pillar of the Army fitness test While defenders of the SPT cite research from 2001 that suggested that the SPT was a valid and reliable assessment of total body explosive power, subsequent analysis in 2005 observed that combining men and women into a single sample had inflated the correlation. This follow-up research came to the opposite conclusion, stating that throw 'may have limited potential as a predictor of total body explosive power.' More recent research among firefighters further challenged the validity of the SPT, concluding 'practitioners should exhibit caution' in using it as an assessment. A consistent finding in these studies is a strong learning effect, suggesting the uniqueness of the movement tests skill more than underlying fitness. The other studies cited to defend the throw assessed a supine push press and a kneeling chest pass and are therefore irrelevant. The standing broad jump has long been used across athletic and military domains as a validated indicator of lower-body power. It captures the same desired quality — explosive force production — with fewer logistical complications. It requires no special equipment, takes less time to administer and carries greater face validity about tasks such as sprinting, vaulting and jumping — critical movements on the battlefield. This is precisely why the 75th Ranger Regiment, whose RAW assessments helped shape the original ACFT, removed the medicine ball throw years ago in favor of the broad jump. When one of the most elite and operationally focused units in the military chooses to streamline its assessments in this way, the larger force would do well to take notice. Criticism of the recent change to the ACFT also comes from the leadership that oversaw the development and rollout of the Occupational Physical Assessment Test (OPAT). Despite initial claims that the OPAT significantly reduced injuries and saved the Army millions, a 2021 Army Audit Agency report contradicted these assertions, revealing increased injury rates and insufficient tracking of injury data during OPAT's implementation. Although public statements by Center for Initial Military Training (CIMT) officials touted substantial benefits, the audit found no reliable data to support those claims. Notably, CIMT later endorsed a recommendation to begin tracking such data. These discrepancies underscore the risks of relying on internal success narratives that lack validated, transparent evidence. Critics of the standing power throw's removal frequently cite concerns over losing a 'comprehensive' evaluation. Yet, they fail to distinguish between complexity and effectiveness. Just because an event appears multifaceted does not mean it provides actionable or essential data — primarily when other options deliver equal or better insight more efficiently. The broad jump offers a more reliable, scalable alternative in an operational environment where time, equipment, personnel and consistency matter. It assesses key components of combat performance — notably, explosive triple extension — in a safer, more intuitive format. The ACFT was always intended to evolve. Removing the standing power throw is not a capitulation but an informed refinement grounded in field realities, best practices and a clear-eyed understanding of what combat fitness truly demands. To conflate nostalgia with necessity is to risk clinging to a version of the test that no longer serves the mission. We should embrace this shift not as a loss but as progress — toward a smarter, more combat-relevant assessment of the soldiers who defend our nation. Nick Barringer is a nutritional physiologist with applied and academic experience. He received his undergraduate degree in dietetics from the University of Georgia and his doctorate in kinesiology from Texas A&M. The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not reflect the official position of any organizations he is affiliated with. He can be reached at drnickbarringer@ Alex Morrow is an Army Reserve officer with experience working in several military human performance programs. He hosts the MOPs & MOEs podcast, which can also be found on Instagram at @mops_n_moes. The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not reflect the official position of any organizations he is affiliated with. He can be reached at alex@
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The Military Is Rolling Out New 'Sex-Neutral' Testing Standards. Here Are All The Moves.
This week, the U.S. Army announced its plans for an updated fitness test that requires men and women in combat positions to meet the same physical standards. In the past, men and women in combat roles had to meet gender-based fitness standards. The new Army Fitness Test (AFT) is 'designed to enhance soldier fitness, improve warfighting readiness, and increase the lethality of the force,' according to a press release from the Army. 'The change reflects the Army's continued focus on building a physically ready force capable of meeting operational demands in austere environments,' the release said. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth does not think that women should be in combat roles in the military. 'I'm straight up just saying we should not have women in combat roles,' he said on The Shawn Ryan Show in November. 'Hasn't made us more effective. Hasn't made us more lethal. Has made fighting more complicated.' In his book, The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free, Hegseth also wrote that 'women cannot physically meet the same standards as men.' 'Dads push us to take risks. Moms put the training wheels on our bikes,' he continued, as reported by the Associated Press. 'We need moms. But not in the military, especially in combat units.' The 'sex-neutral' testing, which will begin rolling out on June 1, is expected to reduce the number of women in combat roles. The news is raising a lot of questions about military testing, as well as whether physical differences could prevent men and women from meeting the same standards. Here's what we know. Meet the expert: Caitlyn Mooney, MD, is a sports medicine physician and assistant professor at Vanderbilt Health. The revamped test is similar to the existing one, but focuses on the following five events. A RAND Corporation analysis and Army data from about 1 million test records helped guide the new standards, according to the release: Three-repetition maximum deadlift Hand-release push-up arm extension (starting from a prone position on the ground, you push your body up into a high plank, then lower your body back to the ground and extend your arms out to a T before returning to the start position; you can't pause or rest on the ground) Sprint-drag-carry (which involves sprinting, dragging a sled, taking lateral steps, and carrying two kettlebells, for varying distances) Plank Two-mile run Combat soldiers need to score a minimum of 60 points per event and an overall minimum score of 350 under the new standards. However 'combat-enabling' troops need to get an overall minimum score of 300. Troops who are in active duty have until January 2026 to meet the requirements, and National Guard and Army Reserve members have until June 2026. Service members who don't meet the standards twice in a row could be removed from the Army. The existing Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT), which will be replaced by the new AFT test, has a couple different exercise move requirements, and different scoring standards, for men and women. (The new test no longer includes the ball yeet, where you throw a medicine ball over your head backwards, reportedly due to injury risk and its inefficiency in measuring power.) But the biggest change is that the new AFT test will involve women getting graded on the same scale as men in order to qualify for combat roles. So, for instance, women will need to deadlift heavier and run faster than they did with the ACFT testing scale to meet the measures being used to score the men. Data suggest this may not encourage gaining more women in the military—or, at least, in combat roles. A 2017 study found that 'gaps in cardiorespiratory and muscular performances between men and women' should be addressed with targeted training programs to help minimize differences between the sexes. A 2022 study from Rand Corporation also found that women and older members of the military failed the previous fitness test at much higher rates than men and younger service members. Want to conquer the pull-up? Get the WH+ Ultimate Pull-Up Plan here. It's important to point out that this won't keep women from joining the military. But it will likely limit how many qualify for combat roles or for positions that support combat roles. 'There is also the potential for this to eventually apply to combat support roles such as physicians, lawyers, etc., which could mean a shortage in these military professions, even though meeting these standards would minimally affect their job performance,' says Caitlyn Mooney, MD, sports medicine physician and assistant professor at Vanderbilt Health. 'Fitness and readiness are critical for the armed forces, but there is likely an unclear correlation between these fitness tests, performance, and lethality,' Dr. Mooney says. 'Peer-reviewed research has not found a correlation between fitness requirements and combat readiness.' The reality is, physiological sex differences exist between men and women that often put women at a strength disadvantage compared to men. For example, 'deadlifts are a strength event where women would likely perform, on average, 70 to 80 percent less than men when corrected for body weight,' Dr. Mooney says. 'Additionally, women, on average, weigh less than men, further potentially handicapping their performance.' Hand-release push-ups, sprint, drag, and carry tasks, and planks are other events where women would, on average, have a harder time meeting standards compared to men, Dr. Mooney says. 'The two-mile run would be a more cardiovascular event, typically having women perform at 80 to 90 percent of their male peers.' Dr. Mooney says that the limits on a woman's performance are 'multifactorial' due to factor like body size, muscle mass, less muscle distribution in the upper body, and lower levels of hormones like testosterone. 'It is important to reiterate that these specific tasks do not necessarily correlate with the ability to perform in combat,' Dr. Mooney says. 'Additionally, these readiness tasks do not test muscular or cardiovascular endurance, which are likely more critical in prolonged combat settings, and primarily test power and forceful maneuvers.' Dr. Mooney points out that the gap between women and men 'shrinks' with longer-distance endurance events. 'Women would be more likely to perform better with flexibility and endurance, which are not tested, and thus, this test likely would be biased against women,' she says. 'Given that women, on average, perform the selected tasks at a lower capacity than men, fewer women in the armed forces will likely meet these qualifications than men.' But these changes may also make military recruitment, as a whole, even tougher, Dr. Mooney says. 'There have been ongoing issues with the military's recruitment as fewer people meet the health and fitness standards required,' she says, due to rising rates of obesity, sedentary behavior, and metabolic disorders. With these ongoing recruitment issues, I would worry that changing the AFT to be gender-neutral would further restrict the military's ability to recruit young, fit individuals to combat roles where they likely would be otherwise qualified to function.' You Might Also Like Jennifer Garner Swears By This Retinol Eye Cream These New Kicks Will Help You Smash Your Cross-Training Goals
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
US army rolls out ‘sex-neutral' fitness test—what it means for women in combat
Women serving in U.S. Army combat positions will soon be required to pass the same physical fitness test as their male counterparts, following a policy change announced by the Army on Monday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The decision follows an order issued earlier this month by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who directed the military to eliminate gender-based scoring differences in physical standards for combat roles. The Army's new 'sex-neutral' fitness evaluation, called the Army Fitness Test, will replace the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) and apply to 21 close combat military occupational specialties. The branch said the updated test is 'designed to enhance Soldier fitness, improve warfighting readiness, and increase the lethality of the force.' Implementation begins on June 1, with full enforcement for active-duty soldiers in combat roles set for January 2026. National Guard and Reserve soldiers will follow six months later, in June. The test includes five events: dead lifts, push-ups, planks, a two-mile run, and a sprint-drag-carry exercise involving sleds and kettlebells. One component of the ACFT—the standing power throw, where soldiers hurled a 10-pound medicine ball backward over their heads—has been dropped. The event, often mocked by soldiers as the 'ball yeet,' was unpopular and is not included in the revised test. What do the changes mean for women? The primary change lies in how the test is scored. Female soldiers in close combat occupations will now be evaluated using the same performance scale as men. This move marks a significant shift from the previous policy, which allowed women and older soldiers to pass with lower minimums. For example, under the new standards, women aged 17 to 21 must deadlift at least 140 pounds, up from the prior requirement of 120 pounds. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now They will also have to complete the two-mile run in 22 minutes, compared to the earlier 23 minutes and 22 seconds. Soldiers innoncombat or support roles will still be tested based on age and sex-specific standards. However, according to Sgt. Maj Christopher Mullinax, as reported by the New York Times, those in combat roles who fail the test twice consecutively may face removal from the Army or be required to switch military occupational specialties. The policy update comes three weeks after Hegseth's directive and effectively reverses the 2022 modifications that had eased standards for women and older personnel. Hegseth, a former National Guard infantryman and Fox News personality, has been openly skeptical of women in certain combat positions. In a recent book, he wrote: 'Women cannot physically meet the same standards as men,' adding, 'Dads push us to take risks. Moms put the training wheels on our bikes. We need moms. But not in the military, especially in combat units.' He later amended his stance, stating in December: 'If we have the right standard and women meet that standard, Roger, let's go.'
