MAGA and Military Standards

The phrase “Make America Great Again,” often associated with Donald Trump, is undoubtedly one of the most effective marketing campaigns in recent history. Trump, who lacked prior government experience, was elected President of the United States not once, but twice—surprisingly securing a second term even after facing impeachment twice during his first.

This slogan prompts a lot of questions, though. When, exactly, does Trump believe America was “great”? Was it in the 1920s, the 1940s, or maybe the 1960s?

Now, regarding the U.S. military, we received some clarity recently. Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made headlines last week at a meeting in Quantico, Virginia, attended by over 800 high-ranking military officials who traveled from around the globe.

Hegseth introduced a new initiative, referred to simply as “The Pentagon,” which, according to reports, involves reverting military standards back to those established in 1990, effectively replacing current benchmarks with those from the past.

It’s worth noting Hegseth’s choice of words—particularly his repeated use of “men.” Back in 1990, women were barred from combat positions. It wasn’t until 1993, under President Bill Clinton, that women were allowed to fly combat missions, and it took until 2013, under President Obama, for them to serve in ground combat roles. Should this return to 1990 standards mean that women might face disqualification from military service, Hegseth seems to dismiss that concern outright.

“If that means there are no women who are not qualified for some combat jobs, then so be it,” he stated to the gathering of generals. He added, “I don’t want my son to serve in a combat unit with others who are out of shape or with women who cannot meet the same physical standards for combat arms as men.”

Such comments undermine the contributions of around 279,500 women currently serving in the military. According to the American Legion, about 2 million female veterans live today, with over 3 million women having served in the military since the Revolutionary War, including nine female veterans in the current Congress.

This raises a crucial question: Does Hegseth truly understand the historical context?

There’s ample evidence that women have succeeded in all military roles. Today, female service members constitute approximately 21.5% of the armed forces. They haven’t been appointed to these positions merely due to their gender—they earned these roles like their male peers.

If Hegseth spent more time researching and less time elsewhere, he might realize that women have been a part of military history for over 200 years, from the Revolutionary War to more recent conflicts in Iraq and Kuwait. A book I recently read highlighted many women who fought alongside colonial troops against the British, underscoring their significant contributions.

For instance, Margaret Corbin disguised herself as a man to join her husband at the Battle of Fort Washington and, after he was injured, she took over a cannon despite being shot three times herself. Later, she received full military honors from West Point.

Women have played key roles in numerous conflicts long before they achieved the right to vote, participating in the Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Over 300,000 women served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and as of January 2025, 154 women graduated from U.S. Army Ranger School, one of the military’s toughest courses.

Recognizing the importance of women’s roles in the military, Senator Tammy Duckworth, a veteran who lost both legs in combat, stated, “Our military could not do the job of protecting America and keeping us safe without women serving in the military.” It seems that many people grasp this truth—except perhaps for Pete Hegseth.