This story was reported and written by our media partner Capital News Service.
Advocates for women’s rights, including a state senator, are pushing back against what they deem as "misogynistic" changes to the fitness standards of the U.S. military.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced in late September that every job in all branches of the military would be held to the “highest male standard” of physical fitness.
These changes are part of a shift in the culture of the restyled U.S. Department of Defense, which the Trump administration prefers to call the U.S. Department of War. Congress has not acted to officially change the name yet.
Hegseth said that updating fitness standards was necessary to prepare the military to face gathering enemies and growing threats, according to the published transcript.
Hegseth expressed his respect for the contributions of female troops and said the new fitness standards are not intended to exclude women from certain roles. But, if that means no women qualify for some combat jobs, “so be it,” he said.
The Army adopted a revised fitness test, the Army Fitness Test (AFT), in June, which is set to come into effect on Jan. 1, 2026, according to the U.S. Army website. The Air Force instituted a similar new fitness program which will also start on that date, according to the Air Force website.
Kobby Hoffman, president of the Virginia chapter of the National Organization for Women, said she is old enough to remember when women were unable to have credit cards.
Opportunities and rights for women expanded in her lifetime, but the leap forward in gender equality has faced pushback, according to Hoffman.
“History shows that yes, when individuals get more rights, more opportunities, that there usually is a backlash,” Hoffman said. “And this is one big backlash. We always have to be vigilant because laws slip and slide every time a legislature meets.”
If women cannot be on the front line, they may not move up as easily through the military ranks, Hoffman said.
“My family that's in the military, it's more than just their upper body strength,” Hoffman said. “It's about strategic thinking, leadership, diplomacy and avoiding war, respecting other human beings.”
Sen. Jennifer Carroll Foy, D-Prince William, served in her high school’s Junior ROTC and was among the first women to graduate from the Virginia Military Institute.
Hegseth’s speech was intentionally misogynistic and part of a wider culture war the Trump administration is waging against women, Foy said. She predicts this will be costly for America’s national security and reputation.
“I think it's ironic that we have the least qualified person ever for defense secretary has the gall to question the qualifications of women who have actually met and oftentimes who have exceeded the standards for their job,” Foy said.
Foy noted that women still often have to be twice as good to get half as far.
“I think that that speech was very disrespectful to every person who wears and has worn a uniform,” Foy said.
Foy is using her influence as a politician to combat gender inequality. She is pushing for the U.S. National Archives to recognize Virginia as the 38th state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, which would add a rule to the U.S. Constitution making discrimination based on gender illegal.
“I also think we just have to continue to use our platform to promote the fact that when you have female soldiers who have attained Ranger status, they've done that by meeting the same standards as men,” Foy said.
Foy urged women not to give up hope and to fight for equality, even if it feels disheartening to see constitutional rights eroded and civil liberties undermined.
“But at the end of the day, as long as there is forward momentum, then we are winning,” Foy said. “We are making a change and the world is ever evolving and that isn't going to stop with this administration, as long as we continue to keep our eye on the ball. And the goal is full equality.”
Army ROTC officials declined to comment, despite attempts made in person and via email.
Capital News Service is a program of Virginia Commonwealth University’s Robertson School of Communication. Students in the program provide state government coverage for a variety of media outlets in Virginia.