Illinois State Representative, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran and current candidate for Comptroller, Stephanie Kifowit (Oswego – D), responds to the Pentagon’s “Highest Male Standard” proposal.
“As the only female Veteran in the General Assembly, I served during a time when women were not allowed to serve in combat roles. Many of my colleagues who were on the front lines in supportive roles, such as communications, were denied meritorious awards and medals because of the technicality that they were not supposed to be in combat zones but they were,” stated Kifowit. “Thus, I am compelled to respond to reports that the Department of Defense will require all combat roles to meet ‘the highest male standard’ and not the skills needed to complete the mission”.
This policy threatens and undermines the very ideals of merit and readiness, and sends a message to women who have served, are currently serving, or aspire to serve their country that their country does not value them. Already, women who are serving have to prove that they can do the job, and show ability for those MOS’s that are combat ready.
Defense secretary Pete Hegseth has called on the military to adopt elevated physical benchmarks, framed as gender-neutral but rooted in historically male baselines, with the caveat that “if no women qualify for some combat jobs, so be it.”
Kifowit continued, “as someone who has worn the uniform of the United States Marine Corps, I condone a policy that discounts capability, sacrifices inclusion, or stigmatizes women who have already earned their place in the armed services. I swore an oath to protect and defend this nation alongside my brothers and sisters in uniform. That oath did not carry a caveat based on gender. In 2016, the late Ashton Carter instituted that the Armed Forces would open all military occupational specialties to qualified applicants regardless of sex – no exceptions. The Department of Defense today is manipulating this process by putting into place unnecessary and counter-productive measures under the false pretense of raising standards.”
State representative Stephanie Kifowit has served continuously throughout her tenure in the Illinois General Assembly, on the Veterans’ Affairs Committee and has been a leading voice for Veterans across our state. Recently she was honored as the Legislator of the Year 2025 by the Illinois Association of Veteran Assistance Commissions for her advocacy and unwavering support of Illinois Veterans. After the award presentation, Representative Kifowit was able to meet Jessica Lynch and hear her incredible story of heroism as a POW and her liberation.
Throughout history, hundreds of thousands of women have served honorably in combat support and direct roles, many times not being recognized for their service properly. After 2016, women service members have earned the combat medals they deserved, commanded ground troops and vital missions, and stood shoulder to shoulder in harm’s way with their peers.
“To suggest that women cannot measure up unless they meet a male-defined benchmark is not only wrong,” stated Kifowit, “it dishonors the service and sacrifice of those who already have served honorably or are currently serving in combat defending our country.”
Since 2013, there have been many historic firsts, from the first female graduates of the Army Ranger School in 2015 to the first female Marine to lead an infantry platoon in 2018. By 2019, more than 600 female Sailors and Marines were serving in combat arms units previously restricted to men, while more than 650 women held Army combat roles and over 1,000 had accessed Army combat specialties. Women make up about 17% of the Armed Forces serving on active duty. In 2021, the first confirmed female deputy secretary of defense, Kathleen Hicks. And in 2022, Admiral Linda Fagan was sworn in as commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, becoming the first woman to lead any branch of the Armed Forces. Both women were removed from their positions by the current administration.
State Representative Stephanie Kifowit has served in the General Assembly since 2013 and is an honorably discharged Veteran of the United States Marine Corps, she is a former registered financial advisor and City of Aurora Alderman. She is an alumna of Northern Illinois University – holding an MPA degree. She is the proud parent of two children, her daughter is pursuing an accounting degree and is married to an Army Veteran and her son is currently serving aboard the USS Ralph Johnson in the United States Navy.
For more information, contact the office of State Representative Stephanie Kifowit at 630-585-1308 or stephanie.kifowit@att.net.
—Office of Illinois State representative Stephanie Kifowit