Last year, Hegseth introduced new sex-neutral fitness standards that sought to eliminate sex-based grading for combat soldiers on the military’s physical fitness exam. That exam includes a 3-mile run, push-ups or pull-ups, and an abdominal plank. When the standards were announced, some analysts worried it could lead to fewer women enlisting.

But a new report from The War Horse, a nonprofit newsroom, suggests that Hegseth’s new standards were not making the military more masculine, as he seemed to hope. The report found that 90% of female Marines in combat roles who took the fitness test passed or exceeded expectations.

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    13 hours ago

    Most of them are senior NCO or older officers who have been forced to do an exercise routine that is designed to challenge people half their age.

    They’ll retire earlier with higher disability checks. Unplanned retirements may cause gaps in institutional knowledge.