More than 100 soldiers from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team and the 1st Infantry Division are participating in Phase III of the Soldier 2020 Physical Demands Study this week through June 26th at Fort Riley.

In January 2013, the Secretary of Defense rescinded the 1994 DOD “Direct Ground Combat Deinition and Assignment Rule,” which states in part: “Service members are eligible to be assigned to all positions for which they are qualified, except that women shall be excluded from assignment to units below the brigade level whose primary mission is to engage in direct combat on the ground.” As a result, the secretary is directing the integration of women into currently closed units and positions and the development and implementation of validated, gender-neutral occupational standards.

The test group is divided evenly between male and female Soldiers who will be rated on their ability to conduct simulated tactical movements, evacuation of a casualty, preparation of a fighting position and movement under fire. It will culminate with a 4-mile foot march.  In addition, the Soldiers will conduct a series of occupation-specific predictive tests throughout the week that will help the Army determine if an applicant has the physical capacity to sere in a high physical demand occupation.

Information gathered during the testing will be used to help develop performance standards for military roles, beginning with the high-demand occupations currently closed to female soldiers.