'None of us have ever asked for special treatment' - US female veterans respond to Hegseth speech

The defence secretary said he wanted a return to the "male standard" for combat roles. Women say the standards were never different.

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"None of us have ever asked for special treatment," Elisa Cardnell, who served in the US Navy for 11 years, told the BBC.

Speaking to hundreds of generals on Tuesday, Hegseth reiterated his beliefs that the military had lowered standards to accommodate women and put service members at risk. His new directives will bring them back to a higher level, he said.

"If it means no women qualify for combat jobs, then so be it," he said.

He maintained that women would not be excluded from the armed forces outright.