Hegseth Same-Standards Controversy - History and Analysis

WASHINGTON - Jan. 15, 2025 - PRLog -- Pete Hegseth's argument that males and females in the military should meet the same physical fitness requirements, at least for those who serve in ground combat roles, hearkens back to a similar debate which occurred when the Virginia Military Institute [VMI] and the Citadel were forced for the first time to admit females, says public interest law professor John Banzhaf.

VMI initially decided to hold women to exactly the same exacting physical fitness requirements as its men.

Today, however, VMI does have separate physical fitness standards for male and female cadets, although some are identical, while others are very different.

Hegseth noted that the tough but equal physical fitness standards would be applied to both sexes for those actually engaged in ground combat because they are necessary to meet the unavoidable strength requirements of the position.

But even females also serving in some combat roles which do not necessary require great strength - e.g. as field medics - probably would not have to meet the same exacting standards most women would find too physically challenging.

The need to carefully delineate what physical challenges are integral for a specific role, and which are at most peripheral or only occasional, is perhaps best illustrated by debates over whether there should be different physical standards based upon gender for police officers and for fire fighters, says Banzhaf, based upon the examples he uses in his classroom discussions about sex discrimination.

So, concludes Banzhaf, who has been derided by his enemies as a "radical feminist" (although he denies it), there is a strong argument for requiring females to meet the same difficult physical fitness standards as men, but perhaps only  where having sufficient strength and other physical attributes to perform common and unavoidable tasks cannot be avoided.

banzhaf3ATgmail.com @profbanzhaf