ISTANBUL
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has put under review military standards, including physical fitness, body composition and grooming.
According to a memo released by the Pentagon, the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness has been tasked with reviewing the current standards for personnel.
"We must remain vigilant in maintaining the standards that enable the men and women of our military to protect the American people and our homeland as the world's most lethal and effective fighting force," Hegseth said.
"Our adversaries are not growing weaker, and our tasks are not growing less challenging."
The memo directs the review to examine the standards and how they have changed since Jan. 1, 2015, something Hegseth had said he would do when he assumed office, CBS News reported on Thursday.
"That will be part of one of the first things we do at the Pentagon — is reviewing that in a gender-neutral way — the standards ensuring readiness and meritocracy are front and center," Hegseth said in January.
In December 2015, the Defense Department announced it would open up all combat roles to women.
Hegseth has previously opposed that policy decision, saying in a podcast interview shortly before he was tapped as defense secretary.
"We should not have women in combat roles. It hasn't made us more effective. Hasn't made us more lethal," he said.