The Patriot Post® · Army's Sexist Fitness Test

Walter E. Williams: “[T]here have been recent calls to end the ban on women in combat units, but there’s no mention of the Army’s sexist physical fitness test. For a male 17-21 years of age to pass, he must do 35 pushups, do 47 situps and run 2 miles in 16 minutes, 36 seconds. His female counterpart, who receives the same pay, can pass the fitness test by doing a mere 13 pushups, doing 47 situps and running 2 miles in 19 minutes, 42 seconds. How can anyone who values equality and self-respect tolerate this gross discrimination? You say, ‘Williams, what’s your solution?’ I say we should either force women to come up to the physical fitness standards for men or pass men who meet the female standards of fitness. Maybe we should ask our adversaries which is better – raising female fitness standards or lowering those of males.”