The Pentagon is launching a six-month review of the effectiveness of women in ground combat roles, a decade after lifting restrictions on women serving in combat positions. The review aims to assess the operational effectiveness of ground combat units with female soldiers and Marines in infantry, armor, and artillery roles. The effort comes after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that women must meet the "highest male standard" in September.
The review, led by the Institute for Defense Analyses, will collect data on the readiness, training, performance, casualties, and command climate of ground combat units and personnel. The services are required to provide points of contact and internal research on the integration of women in combat by January 15. The review's findings will likely inform the military's approach to women in combat roles and may have implications for future policy decisions.
The review is significant as it marks a major assessment of the military's progress in integrating women into combat positions. The results will be closely watched by advocates for women's rights in the military and those concerned about the military's effectiveness.