Should PT standards be neutral across the board?

I wouldn't do a job specific PT standard because then you get fat desk jockeys and buff war fighters. But yes, PT standards need to be neutral across the board. No more "opting out" of certain requirements. If we're going to open up combat MOS to females, then all females need to be held to the same standards as their male counterparts. Even with the transgender argument, should a male be allowed a pass on his poor PT performance because he says "I identify...". We've been downsizing our military force for the past couple years, so those that remain in need to be held to the same high standard regardless of whether they are male/female or identify as something else.

They should be more focused on real-world events. Every test measures endurance. What about strength, mobility, and technique? There are many Service Members that don't understand how to do a proper fireman carry.

If one's goal is truly equality and recognizing that there is a basic minimum level of fitness ability for all those accessioning into and/or serving in the armed forces, regardless of job, age, or sex, then yes, of course they should. In short, there are no merit-based reasons to oppose it, only emotional ones. If this means having a military that is only comprised of 1% females or one that accepts many more heretofore screened-out males, then so be it.

Perhaps a simple pass/fail would be required to create an individual service-wide acceptable test which would push the option of more stringent standards or goals down to individual branches and/or units (ie while the USA may have a simple p/f test at level X the 82nd Airborne of Infantry branch may require a higher Y (but not lower) for the same p/f test). It undermines the age = sex argument and removes the need for scales, simplifying the test.

The case of age barely holds up and withers under any scrutiny. As with sex, one's age doesn't correlate to one's job or even experience level. We should expect the same of a 40 year old PFC as we should from an 18 year old one. An age-specific scale merely acts as patronizing head patting or "atta boy". We understand that a 48 year old general or MSG will probably not perform at the level of 20 year old SPC; we don't need to inflate their score to make them feel better about getting older.

I don't support the idea of job specific tests for three reasons. 1. It adds a level of bureaucracy to an institution already burgeoning with it. 2. It ignores the multi-MOS/branch composition of units even at the battalion level, setting up multiple standards of performance in units striving for excellence or a common standard. 3. It obviates the principle of everyone being an infantryman first (at least for the USA and USMC).

Exceptions probably should be made for those on physical profile on the principle that a trained experienced soldier/sailor/airman/marine who is physically incapable of performing the minimum is outweighed by the cost of replacing him. Also, it is arguable that those specialized branches in which one can accession directly into armed forces from civilian life, are usually in need, and are typically limited in command opportunities (ie doctors, lawyers, chaplains) would have their own standard. Then again, one could argue there is not need for service-specific medical officers, JAGs or chaplains, but that's a different ball of wax.

Within a service, the standards should be the same because, for example, every Marine is subject to being assigned combat duty as a grunt. In the Air Force, we'd apply the same thinking. Making certain accommodations within a service based on sex, age, etc., should not detract from the mission. So if we keep mission in mind and the requirements around that, the fitness standards should fall in line.

We can't pretend away that the bodies are different, that's why women don't play in the NFL.

I think the only variant on pt requirements should be for age and height. Age is obviously, and a 5'3" person shouldn't have to run as fast as a 6'6" person. Height should also possibly affect sit ups.

I have said this for years, PT standards should be the same for both genders as we are all expected to do the same basic job in the military.

This should have happened a long time ago, regardless of any changes in gender policies.

no.

Hell Yes!
If you are going to make it "Equal" ten make it "Equal all the way"
BUT...then we all know that the Army is more EQUAL to some than others. Remember, Equal Opportunity "Goals" and those pesky yet nonexistent Equal Opportunity QUOTAS are only different because of location in the dictionary.