[RetiredArmy]

Not a surprise to me. Back in the 1980s when we got a huge influx of females in the Army, they could not meet the lowest men's physical standards back then. When a 25 year old man had to do something like 40 pushups just to pass the pushup test, a female had to do only like 15. When we went to the rifle range, we were always there two to four hours longer just attempting to get the women to qualify with the weapon. Most women have never been near a rifle when they come into the military. Especially women from the northern big cities. Women from the south or southwest were better with a rifle as some grew up with fathers who took them hunting. Thus they were somewhat better shots.

But in my entire career, and in the last five years I was in the Army, my commanders always appointed me as the NCOIC (non-commissioned officer in charge) of the weapons (M-16) qualifications ranges. I NEVER had a woman qualify on the first try. Back then you fired 20 shots from a fox hole position and the next 20 from the prone, unsupported position. Most never hit a thing from the prone. Even a lot of men shot poorly from the unsupported prone position. But women were very poor shots. I even had women try to get out of shooting because they said they were afraid of the weapon and shooting. But weapons qualification was required once a year back in the day. I do not know what they do now. But this poor physical standards deal is not a surprise, except for the 2 mile run. Several did run very very well, but not the upper body qualifications, the pushup and the situps. Sorry ladies, that is just how it was back then.

[QT3.14]

...I even had women try to get out of shooting because they said they were afraid of the weapon and shooting...

LOL. Imagine joing up and THEN revealing that! Geez!!!!

[Tailback]

What MOS were you? There were some bad female shooters in my units, but not at the level you describe. The worst shooters in my experience were the urban blacks. I was a 73-C20 in my active days, and I can still remember little Ecolango (about 5’1”) qualifying sharpshooter. She was stoked.

One time over in Germany, a black urban artillery NCO tagged along to qualify with us. Apparently he thought that being a combat arms MOS allowed him to talk smack. I shot 40/40 but missed one of the “familiarization” shots with the protective mask on. When I walked back to the assembly area, my CO said “Jones, you missed one so I’m only giving you a half day off.” I replied, “I’ll work on it Sir!” He then had the supply Sergeant give me a ride back to the Kaserne to enjoy the rest of the day.

The Artillery NCO’s jaw dropped to the floor upon witnessing my shooting and conversation with the CO.

BTW, German schutzenschnur in Gold and USAF Distinguished Rifleman. Never judge a book by it’s cover.

http://criterionbarrels.com/media/lockhart-3-national-records-using-criterion-prefit

[exDemMom]

Several did run very very well, but not the upper body qualifications, the pushup and the situps.

The situps standard is the same for men and women. The run and the pushup standards are less stringent for women.