WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s decision to review military standards on combat and physical fitness and appearance opens a Pandora’s box of the widely different rules among the services. It raises questions about whether there should be a cookie-cutter approach or if service differences, evolving social norms and recruiting realities will still be allowed to play a role in policy decisions. Hegseth has been very public about his opposition to women in combat jobs and his belief that standards were lowered to accommodate women, and he warned there would be reviews to address the issues.
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