Sana Kurt

you're listening to today explained

you're listening to today explained

you're listening to today explained

Pete Hagsath has been pretty clear that he is skeptical of women in combat.

Pete Hagsath has been pretty clear that he is skeptical of women in combat.

Pete Hagsath has been pretty clear that he is skeptical of women in combat.

He's made statements in public in his book during his time on Fox News saying that women should be able to serve in the military, but that combat roles specifically are not suited for women.

He's made statements in public in his book during his time on Fox News saying that women should be able to serve in the military, but that combat roles specifically are not suited for women.

He's made statements in public in his book during his time on Fox News saying that women should be able to serve in the military, but that combat roles specifically are not suited for women.

Hegseth has talked a lot about standards and specifically sort of how they've fallen in recent years. Grooming, like uniform standards, these little things that make the military sort of disciplined, saying they've sort of fallen by the wayside. But the big one that I think he's interested in is physical fitness standards specifically.

Hegseth has talked a lot about standards and specifically sort of how they've fallen in recent years. Grooming, like uniform standards, these little things that make the military sort of disciplined, saying they've sort of fallen by the wayside. But the big one that I think he's interested in is physical fitness standards specifically.

Hegseth has talked a lot about standards and specifically sort of how they've fallen in recent years. Grooming, like uniform standards, these little things that make the military sort of disciplined, saying they've sort of fallen by the wayside. But the big one that I think he's interested in is physical fitness standards specifically.

In general, the military branches have an annual or semi-annual physical fitness test that all service members take, sort of regardless of what you do in your day-to-day job. And that tests how in shape you are, how fit you are. And I think when he's talking about physical fitness standards, he's generally talking about those standards.

In general, the military branches have an annual or semi-annual physical fitness test that all service members take, sort of regardless of what you do in your day-to-day job. And that tests how in shape you are, how fit you are. And I think when he's talking about physical fitness standards, he's generally talking about those standards.

In general, the military branches have an annual or semi-annual physical fitness test that all service members take, sort of regardless of what you do in your day-to-day job. And that tests how in shape you are, how fit you are. And I think when he's talking about physical fitness standards, he's generally talking about those standards.

In March, HEGSF released two memos, basically directing the military services, the different branches, to reevaluate their standards, to specifically look at their physical fitness standards, and in particular, how those standards relate to combat specialties or combat positions.

In March, HEGSF released two memos, basically directing the military services, the different branches, to reevaluate their standards, to specifically look at their physical fitness standards, and in particular, how those standards relate to combat specialties or combat positions.

In March, HEGSF released two memos, basically directing the military services, the different branches, to reevaluate their standards, to specifically look at their physical fitness standards, and in particular, how those standards relate to combat specialties or combat positions.

The memo said, basically, they should revisit how they've changed since 2015. And I think it's important to note that date is probably not random. That's the year that Secretary Ash Carter said that all jobs in the military would be open to women.

The memo said, basically, they should revisit how they've changed since 2015. And I think it's important to note that date is probably not random. That's the year that Secretary Ash Carter said that all jobs in the military would be open to women.

The memo said, basically, they should revisit how they've changed since 2015. And I think it's important to note that date is probably not random. That's the year that Secretary Ash Carter said that all jobs in the military would be open to women.

The Army was sort of already looking at some changes to its physical fitness test, but the newly released test seems to be in response, at least at some level, to this request or this directive by HEGSF to reconsider physical fitness standards.

The Army was sort of already looking at some changes to its physical fitness test, but the newly released test seems to be in response, at least at some level, to this request or this directive by HEGSF to reconsider physical fitness standards.

The Army was sort of already looking at some changes to its physical fitness test, but the newly released test seems to be in response, at least at some level, to this request or this directive by HEGSF to reconsider physical fitness standards.

Army's yearly or semi-yearly fitness test, it was called the Army Combat Fitness Test. They're now changing it to the Army Fitness Test. And historically, the Army Combat Fitness Test was graded on sort of a scale. So the standards were different for men and women, and they were different for women. younger and older people. They call it sort of age and gender norming.

Army's yearly or semi-yearly fitness test, it was called the Army Combat Fitness Test. They're now changing it to the Army Fitness Test. And historically, the Army Combat Fitness Test was graded on sort of a scale. So the standards were different for men and women, and they were different for women. younger and older people. They call it sort of age and gender norming.

Army's yearly or semi-yearly fitness test, it was called the Army Combat Fitness Test. They're now changing it to the Army Fitness Test. And historically, the Army Combat Fitness Test was graded on sort of a scale. So the standards were different for men and women, and they were different for women. younger and older people. They call it sort of age and gender norming.

That's the test that the Army has been taking. There's going to be some changes to how that's scored. In general, the standards are going up just a little bit across the board. People are going to have to do more push-ups. There are some changes in some places to the timing of the run.

That's the test that the Army has been taking. There's going to be some changes to how that's scored. In general, the standards are going up just a little bit across the board. People are going to have to do more push-ups. There are some changes in some places to the timing of the run.

That's the test that the Army has been taking. There's going to be some changes to how that's scored. In general, the standards are going up just a little bit across the board. People are going to have to do more push-ups. There are some changes in some places to the timing of the run.

But the big change really is for women who want to go into combat arms specialties or who are already in combat arms specialties. They're going to have to meet basically the male standard.

But the big change really is for women who want to go into combat arms specialties or who are already in combat arms specialties. They're going to have to meet basically the male standard.

But the big change really is for women who want to go into combat arms specialties or who are already in combat arms specialties. They're going to have to meet basically the male standard.

There are sort of two things I think are important to consider. One is that the Army and the military branches sort of look at or make a distinction between fitness standards and occupational standards. So while the physical fitness test for the Army, the Army combat fitness test, has been consistent, gender-normed and age-normed.

There are sort of two things I think are important to consider. One is that the Army and the military branches sort of look at or make a distinction between fitness standards and occupational standards. So while the physical fitness test for the Army, the Army combat fitness test, has been consistent, gender-normed and age-normed.

There are sort of two things I think are important to consider. One is that the Army and the military branches sort of look at or make a distinction between fitness standards and occupational standards. So while the physical fitness test for the Army, the Army combat fitness test, has been consistent, gender-normed and age-normed.

Every woman who serves in a combat role has had to meet occupational standards, so basically these physical demands that the job requires, tasks that test how well you can really do the physical parts of the job. And that's gender-neutral. They're graded the same for everyone. The debate over women in combat didn't come out of a vacuum. It came out of Iraq and Afghanistan, where women were...

Every woman who serves in a combat role has had to meet occupational standards, so basically these physical demands that the job requires, tasks that test how well you can really do the physical parts of the job. And that's gender-neutral. They're graded the same for everyone. The debate over women in combat didn't come out of a vacuum. It came out of Iraq and Afghanistan, where women were...

Every woman who serves in a combat role has had to meet occupational standards, so basically these physical demands that the job requires, tasks that test how well you can really do the physical parts of the job. And that's gender-neutral. They're graded the same for everyone. The debate over women in combat didn't come out of a vacuum. It came out of Iraq and Afghanistan, where women were...

doing the job alongside men in a lot of cases.

doing the job alongside men in a lot of cases.

doing the job alongside men in a lot of cases.

I basically got an email that was kind of mysterious and was like, can you meet these physical requirements? Do you want to deploy with a special operations unit? And I said, yes. You know, you deployed to Afghanistan and you're attached to a special operations unit. So I was attached to Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha.

I basically got an email that was kind of mysterious and was like, can you meet these physical requirements? Do you want to deploy with a special operations unit? And I said, yes. You know, you deployed to Afghanistan and you're attached to a special operations unit. So I was attached to Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha.

I basically got an email that was kind of mysterious and was like, can you meet these physical requirements? Do you want to deploy with a special operations unit? And I said, yes. You know, you deployed to Afghanistan and you're attached to a special operations unit. So I was attached to Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha.

There were lioness teams, these female engagement teams that, because of cultural reasons, would be involved in raiding and clearing houses, engaging with women. And they were exposed to a lot of the same combat threats that men were.

There were lioness teams, these female engagement teams that, because of cultural reasons, would be involved in raiding and clearing houses, engaging with women. And they were exposed to a lot of the same combat threats that men were.

There were lioness teams, these female engagement teams that, because of cultural reasons, would be involved in raiding and clearing houses, engaging with women. And they were exposed to a lot of the same combat threats that men were.

I guess I'd say the thing about combat is that everyone has a role to play, but it ends up being much more than just your assigned role. Like, I... carried ammunition. I carried, like, extra equipment for other people.

I guess I'd say the thing about combat is that everyone has a role to play, but it ends up being much more than just your assigned role. Like, I... carried ammunition. I carried, like, extra equipment for other people.

I guess I'd say the thing about combat is that everyone has a role to play, but it ends up being much more than just your assigned role. Like, I... carried ammunition. I carried, like, extra equipment for other people.

Because technically their time on the front line didn't count as combat, they weren't getting awards, they weren't getting promotions. You know, being in combat counts for a lot in the Army and the Marine Corps. So it was impacting their careers, impacting promotions, it was impacting benefits they could get after they got out of the military.

Because technically their time on the front line didn't count as combat, they weren't getting awards, they weren't getting promotions. You know, being in combat counts for a lot in the Army and the Marine Corps. So it was impacting their careers, impacting promotions, it was impacting benefits they could get after they got out of the military.

Because technically their time on the front line didn't count as combat, they weren't getting awards, they weren't getting promotions. You know, being in combat counts for a lot in the Army and the Marine Corps. So it was impacting their careers, impacting promotions, it was impacting benefits they could get after they got out of the military.

And so a lot of the decision-making around women in combat was based on the fact that women were doing these jobs, they just weren't being recognized for it.

And so a lot of the decision-making around women in combat was based on the fact that women were doing these jobs, they just weren't being recognized for it.

And so a lot of the decision-making around women in combat was based on the fact that women were doing these jobs, they just weren't being recognized for it.

Yeah. Kind of more concretely, the Pentagon and the military branches have eliminated barrier analysis groups, which was really an Air Force initiative that the other services were starting to emulate that worked on issues for women and various minority groups, saying basically, how can we remove barriers to their service? How can we make them safe? them better? How can we make them more lethal?

Yeah. Kind of more concretely, the Pentagon and the military branches have eliminated barrier analysis groups, which was really an Air Force initiative that the other services were starting to emulate that worked on issues for women and various minority groups, saying basically, how can we remove barriers to their service? How can we make them safe? them better? How can we make them more lethal?

Yeah. Kind of more concretely, the Pentagon and the military branches have eliminated barrier analysis groups, which was really an Air Force initiative that the other services were starting to emulate that worked on issues for women and various minority groups, saying basically, how can we remove barriers to their service? How can we make them safe? them better? How can we make them more lethal?

How can we help them do their jobs better? And how do we develop body armor that fits women's bodies? Because that's been a big problem is that small body armor, which is issued often to women, is designed for a small male body. The bottom was so heavy and didn't fit, it would clank up against my hips and it would cause bruises on my ribs.

How can we help them do their jobs better? And how do we develop body armor that fits women's bodies? Because that's been a big problem is that small body armor, which is issued often to women, is designed for a small male body. The bottom was so heavy and didn't fit, it would clank up against my hips and it would cause bruises on my ribs.

How can we help them do their jobs better? And how do we develop body armor that fits women's bodies? Because that's been a big problem is that small body armor, which is issued often to women, is designed for a small male body. The bottom was so heavy and didn't fit, it would clank up against my hips and it would cause bruises on my ribs.

And then the Pentagon basically removed all of the members of some 40-plus defense advisory committees. There are these basically independent committees that advise the Secretary of Defense on everything from R&D to how the military handles sexual assault.

And then the Pentagon basically removed all of the members of some 40-plus defense advisory committees. There are these basically independent committees that advise the Secretary of Defense on everything from R&D to how the military handles sexual assault.

And then the Pentagon basically removed all of the members of some 40-plus defense advisory committees. There are these basically independent committees that advise the Secretary of Defense on everything from R&D to how the military handles sexual assault.

I think there's a chance that it will be sort of reconsidered later on. But a lot of this really, for the most part, is the secretary's prerogative. He can stand up or dismantle these committees. He has a lot of decision-making authority.

I think there's a chance that it will be sort of reconsidered later on. But a lot of this really, for the most part, is the secretary's prerogative. He can stand up or dismantle these committees. He has a lot of decision-making authority.

I think there's a chance that it will be sort of reconsidered later on. But a lot of this really, for the most part, is the secretary's prerogative. He can stand up or dismantle these committees. He has a lot of decision-making authority.

He can direct the military branches to do X, Y, Z. I think a lot of the concerns people are having now is that these big questions, like women in combat, are going to be addressed without sort of the independent study and counsel that have historically accompanied big decisions in the military.

He can direct the military branches to do X, Y, Z. I think a lot of the concerns people are having now is that these big questions, like women in combat, are going to be addressed without sort of the independent study and counsel that have historically accompanied big decisions in the military.

He can direct the military branches to do X, Y, Z. I think a lot of the concerns people are having now is that these big questions, like women in combat, are going to be addressed without sort of the independent study and counsel that have historically accompanied big decisions in the military.

Hegseth and military leadership are focusing on sort of small culture wars questions rather than some of the big questions that are facing the military.

Hegseth and military leadership are focusing on sort of small culture wars questions rather than some of the big questions that are facing the military.

Hegseth and military leadership are focusing on sort of small culture wars questions rather than some of the big questions that are facing the military.

And I think, you know, one thing that I've heard is that Hegseth talks a lot about lethality and the importance of lethality and that sort of woke, quote unquote, woke culture in the military is undermining lethality, but they haven't really seen a definition of what lethality is. I think a lot of people in the military would like to get a clearer understanding of how he defines lethality.

And I think, you know, one thing that I've heard is that Hegseth talks a lot about lethality and the importance of lethality and that sort of woke, quote unquote, woke culture in the military is undermining lethality, but they haven't really seen a definition of what lethality is. I think a lot of people in the military would like to get a clearer understanding of how he defines lethality.

And I think, you know, one thing that I've heard is that Hegseth talks a lot about lethality and the importance of lethality and that sort of woke, quote unquote, woke culture in the military is undermining lethality, but they haven't really seen a definition of what lethality is. I think a lot of people in the military would like to get a clearer understanding of how he defines lethality.