Internewscast Journal
  • Home
  • US News
  • Local News
  • Health
  • People
  • Guest Post
  • Support Our Cause
Internewscast Journal
  • Home
  • US News
  • Local News
  • Health
  • People
  • Guest Post
  • Support Our Cause
Home Local news Hegseth Advocates for ‘Male Benchmark’ in Combat Roles; Female Veterans Assert It’s Already Implemented
  • Local news

Hegseth Advocates for ‘Male Benchmark’ in Combat Roles; Female Veterans Assert It’s Already Implemented

    Hegseth wants 'male standard' for combat roles. Many female veterans say that's already the case
    Up next
    Chelsea 1-0 Benfica: Jose Mourinho's return ends in defeat as ANOTHER Blues star sees red in unconvincing Champions League victory
    Chelsea 1-0 Benfica: Jose Mourinho’s comeback overshadowed by defeat, as yet another Blues player gets sent off in a lackluster Champions League win
    Published on 01 October 2025
    Author
    Internewscast
    Tags
    • 039male,
    • already,
    • Amy McGrath,
    • case,
    • Combat,
    • Donald Trump,
    • Elisa Cardnell,
    • female,
    • for,
    • Hegseth,
    • Joni Ernst,
    • many,
    • Mitch McConnell,
    • Nancy Mace,
    • Pete Hegseth,
    • Politics,
    • roles,
    • say,
    • Sheri Biggs,
    • standard039,
    • that039s,
    • The,
    • Veterans,
    • Wants,
    • Washington news
    Share this @internewscast.com
    FacebookXRedditPinterest

    Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed the military’s senior leaders on Tuesday, revisiting a contentious topic that nearly jeopardized his confirmation earlier this year and contributed to his prominence as a Fox News commentator—the eligibility of women for combat roles.

    At an impromptu assembly in Virginia filled with military commanders, Hegseth announced new guidelines aimed at ensuring that combat position requirements adhere strictly to the highest male standards.

    He remarked that “if this results in no women qualifying for certain combat positions, then so be it,” but emphasized that the military remains open to female recruits.

    “I am not comfortable with the idea of my son serving alongside soldiers who aren’t in peak physical condition, or in combat units with women who fail to meet the rigorous physical standards expected of men,” he asserted. “This isn’t just any job—the stakes are life and death. Standards must be upheld.”

    These statements revived earlier criticisms of the defense secretary following President Donald Trump’s decision to nominate him, highlighting ongoing concerns about his stance on women in leadership and frontline roles. His overhaul of top military ranks has notably affected several women, including an admiral and vice admiral in the Navy and the head of the U.S. Coast Guard.

    Several notable women veterans who have served in combat refuted Hegseth’s comments, pointing out that women in combat roles already operate under the same rigorous standards as their male counterparts. These standards apply uniformly to jobs in fields such as infantry, armor, pararescue, and special operations, regardless of age or gender.

    Female veterans call out Hegseth

    Elisa Cardnell, president of the Service Women’s Action Network, said the standards have not been lowered for women serving in combat roles. She said the requirements for serving in the infantry, for example, are the same for men and women, whether it’s carrying a certain amount of equipment or marching a certain distance.

    Capt. Lory Manning, who served for more than 25 years in the Navy and at times commanded units of over 400 people, said skepticism about women’s capabilities is nothing new. During her time in the Navy, the military expanded opportunities for women to serve in air, sea and some ground combat.

    “Women have had to prove they were capable before positions became officially open,” said Manning, whose responsibilities at one point also included oversight and evaluation of the Navy’s physical fitness standards.

    Manning said “there would have been some sort of uproar” if women consistently failed to perform or compromised military standards throughout that time. She said the secretary seemed to conflate physical requirements with requirements for specific military roles.

    “He hasn’t changed anything basic with regards to women,” she said of Hegseth. “He’s just got it in his head that women are somehow cheating.”

    Amy McGrath, a retired Marine Corps lieutenant colonel who was the first woman to fly an F-18 fighter jet in combat and lost a Democratic challenge to Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell in 2020, said Hegseth continues to lie about women in the military.

    “He claimed the military needs to ‘return to the male standard’ in combat jobs (of 1990!), but here’s the truth: there has never been a separate male and female standard,” she posted on X. “When women entered combat roles, one standard was set, and we’ve been meeting it ever since.”

    U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, the Democratic nominee for New Jersey governor who served as a Navy helicopter pilot, said Tuesday that what she had heard about the speech “comports with everything I’ve seen from the most incompetent secretary of defense we’ve ever had.”

    She questioned the decision to call generals and admirals from around the world for what she said amounts to a meeting “just to kind of show his tough guy creds.”

    Many Republican women show support

    Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, a Republican and Iraq War combat veteran who grilled Hegseth during his nomination hearing in January before providing a crucial confirmation vote, said his comments Tuesday were “appropriate.”

    “I’m not worried about that,” she said. “So there should be the same set of standards for combat arms. I think that’s what he probably was referring to, combat arms.”

    Ernst noted, however, that women who go through Ranger School or into the infantry are already subjected to the same standards as men.

    Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina, the first woman to graduate from The Citadel, said she likes Hegseth’s approach, specifically his promises to get rid of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in the military.

    “President Trump and Secretary Hegseth are right: the U.S. military isn’t a playground for Left-Wing gender bending ideology. Our military is a fighting force that must return to mission-first readiness,” the Republican told AP in a statement.

    U.S. Rep. Sheri Biggs of South Carolina, a lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard, said she also supported Hegseth’s efforts to change military culture.

    Hegseth focused much of his address on eliminating what he has called “woke” policies from the military, saying too many leaders have been promoted based on race, gender quotas and “historic firsts” rather than qualifications. Any leader who disagrees with his approach should resign, he said.

    “Returning to standards that prioritize excellence and accountability puts America’s security and our servicemembers where they belong — first,” Biggs said in a statement.

    ___ Associated Press writers Safiyah Riddle in Montgomery, Alabama, Meg Kinnard in Houston, and Joey Cappelletti, Stephen Groves and Ben Finley in Washington contributed to this report.

    Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

    Share this @internewscast.com
    FacebookXRedditPinterest
    You May Also Like
    Decatur City Manager cites issues with council member as reason for resignation
    • Local news

    Decatur Names Temporary City Manager and Engages Recruitment Firm for Future Search

    DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — Questions about the conduct of certain Decatur City…
    • Internewscast
    • October 21, 2025
    Escaped inmate captured after jumping out of jail transport van
    • Local news

    Escaped Inmate Recaptured After Daring Leap from Jail Transport Van

    A man described as a serious violent felon is once again in…
    • Internewscast
    • October 22, 2025
    Pilots mistakenly thought someone was trying to breach cockpit during American Airlines flight
    • Local news

    American Airlines Pilots Mistake Misunderstanding for Cockpit Security Threat

    In a surprising incident on Monday, a flight destined for Los Angeles…
    • Internewscast
    • October 21, 2025

    Discover Heritage Day at the Historic Bogart/Bowman Cabin in Unicoi

    UNICOI, Tenn. (WJHL) – This Saturday, immerse yourself in Appalachian culture amidst…
    • Internewscast
    • October 21, 2025
    Alivea Goncalves: Some of sister's wounds possibly inflicted after death
    • Local news

    Shocking Forensic Revelations: Alivea Goncalves’ Sister’s Post-Mortem Injuries Unveiled

    Alivea Goncalves has disclosed unsettling details about the tragic death of her…
    • Internewscast
    • October 21, 2025
    Port Wentworth Ice Cove's 'beam topping' ceremony
    • Local news

    Port Wentworth Ice Cove Celebrates Milestone with Beam Topping Ceremony

    PORT WENTWORTH, Ga. – Tuesday marked a significant milestone for Port Wentworth’s…
    • Internewscast
    • October 22, 2025
    Mattoon movie theater will reopen ahead of the new year
    • Local news

    Mattoon Movie Theater Revival: Grand Reopening Set for December 2023

    MATTOON, Ill. (WCIA) — A fresh chapter is set to begin for…
    • Internewscast
    • October 21, 2025
    Amid shutdown, SC airport hosts food drive to support unpaid employees
    • Local news

    During Government Shutdown, South Carolina Airport Organizes Food Drive to Aid Unpaid Employees

    GREER, S.C. (WSPA) – In response to the ongoing federal government shutdown,…
    • Internewscast
    • October 21, 2025
    Clearwater police remove 5-foot boa constrictor from woman's car: 'Another day in Florida'
    • Local news

    Clearwater Police Safely Extract 5-Foot Boa Constrictor from Local Woman’s Vehicle

    In an unusual twist of events in Clearwater, Florida, the local police…
    • Internewscast
    • October 21, 2025
    Lot near Forsyth Park cleared for offices, underground parking garage
    • Local news

    New Development Near Forsyth Park to Feature Offices and Underground Parking

    In Savannah, Georgia, there’s a buzz around a newly cleared plot near…
    • Internewscast
    • October 21, 2025
    Pilots mistakenly thought someone was trying to breach cockpit during American Airlines flight
    • Local news

    Chaos in the Skies: American Airlines Pilots Misinterpret Passenger Activity as Security Threat

    (The Hill) — A flight bound for Los Angeles was forced to…
    • Internewscast
    • October 21, 2025
    Arizona sues US House over delay in Grijalva swearing-in
    • Local news

    Arizona Takes Legal Action Against US House: Grijalva’s Swearing-In Delayed

    On Tuesday, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, a Democrat, initiated legal action…
    • Internewscast
    • October 22, 2025
    Why Andrew Johns is helping England's future stars - as the NRL Immortal addresses speculation he may eventually end up a head coach
    • Sport

    NRL Legend Andrew Johns Mentors England’s Rising Stars Amidst Head Coach Speculation

    Rugby league legend Andrew Johns, often referred to as ‘Joey’, has voiced…
    • Internewscast
    • October 22, 2025
    Family fights for father's release from ICE custody after Crestwood arrest, details conditions at Broadview facility
    • US

    Family Battles for Father’s Freedom: Inside the Harrowing Conditions at Broadview ICE Facility After Crestwood Arrest

    CHICAGO (WLS) — Mariana Cabrera recounted the tense hours her family endured,…
    • Internewscast
    • October 22, 2025
    Pharmacist identifies one common over-the-counter medication she would never buy
    • Health

    Pharmacist Reveals the One OTC Medication You Should Think Twice About Purchasing

    A clinical pharmacist has taken the internet by storm after sharing a…
    • Internewscast
    • October 22, 2025
    Hillary Clinton melts down over Trump's White House Ballroom
    • News

    Hillary Clinton’s Fiery Response to Trump’s Controversial White House Ballroom Move

    Hillary Clinton strongly criticized Donald Trump’s controversial proposal to tear…
    • Internewscast
    • October 22, 2025
    Internewscast Journal
    • Home
    • Privacy Policy
    • DMCA Notice
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Guest Post
    • Support Our Cause
    Copyright 2023. All Right Reserverd.