By Micah Jonah
January 7, 2026
The Pentagon has begun a six month review of women serving in ground combat roles to assess what it describes as the military effectiveness of deploying female soldiers and Marines in infantry, armor, and artillery units.
According to a memo obtained by NPR, the review will examine the impact of several thousand of women, currently serving in these combat positions across the U.S. military.
Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, an Army National Guard veteran who served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, has previously expressed opposition to women in ground combat units. While working as a Fox News host and author, he said in a November 2024 podcast that including women in combat roles had not improved military effectiveness or lethality, and had made combat operations more complex.
However, during his confirmation hearing last year, Hegseth moderated his position, stating that women should be allowed to serve in combat roles, provided they meet the same standards required of men.
The Pentagon review is expected to conclude within six months, could shape future policy on gender integration in frontline combat units.
