Institute for Defense Analyses to determine if decade of service counts as evidence of capability
The Department of Defense announced Monday it will conduct a six-month assessment of pentagon women combat integration, examining whether approximately 3,800 female soldiers and Marines currently serving in infantry, armor, and artillery roles have demonstrated the operational effectiveness to serve in infantry, armor, and artillery roles.
“The Institute for Defense Analyses is reviewing the effectiveness of having women in ground combat roles to ensure standards are met,” said Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson. “This is about maintaining the most lethal military, not about the personnel who have been maintaining it.”
The review will require Army and Marine Corps leaders to submit data on readiness, training, performance, and command climate of units that have been deploying successfully for ten years.
Standards Described As Both Uniform And Under Review
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has mandated that all combat positions return to “the highest male standard,” which officials described as sex-neutral. When asked how a male standard could be sex-neutral, a Pentagon spokesperson said the question “reflects a misunderstanding of military terminology.”
“Standards must be uniform, gender neutral, and high,” Hegseth stated in September. “If that means no women qualify for some combat jobs, so be it.”
The statement appeared to presuppose the outcome of a review not yet conducted. Officials clarified that the review would be conducted without predetermined conclusions, then declined to explain the Secretary’s remarks.
Previous Assessments Not Referenced
An Army study conducted between 2018 and 2023 found that women performed well in ground combat units and, in some cases, achieved higher scores than male soldiers. Pentagon officials confirmed they were aware of this study but noted that additional review was necessary to assess information already assessed.
“We’re looking at this holistically,” an official said.
More than 150 women have completed Ranger training. The review will determine whether completion of Ranger training indicates qualification for Ranger roles.
Senator Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq war veteran and Purple Heart recipient, said removing women from combat positions “would put us at a direct disadvantage to our adversaries.” Pentagon officials noted that Senator Duckworth’s service record was not part of the current assessment.
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