Fort Carson joins study of Army job standards

Fort Carson is participating in a study to help set physical performance standards for Army occupational specialties, starting with jobs that are currently closed to women.

Fifty male and 50 female soldiers will be tested for two weeks on activities that simulate specific tasks while researchers gather data on their heart rate, exertion and other physical indicators.

The information will be used to develop physical tests to match individuals to Army occupations they’re suited for.

“If I try hard enough, yes, I think I can do it,” said Sgt. Marlene Mortensen, a female soldier being tested. “It’s not that bad of a job. It’s just a lot of hard work.”

The Army says the goal is to scientifically evaluate all of its jobs and set standards that allow all qualified soldiers to perform them.

The study is being conducted by the Army Training and Doctrine Command with help from the Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine and Army Forces Command.

The Army will end three years of testing next year. It will have tested 1,000 soldiers at eight installations.

The tests simulate handling field artillery, and loading large guns and tanks.

The Army said starting in 2016 it will allow women to work in seven of the most challenging jobs — including direct fire infantry, tank crew and combat engineer — provided that women meet the requirement standards when they are finalized next year.

The Army emphasized that the issue is one of physical ability, not of gender, because some men can’t fulfill current standards of the jobs.

“I’d have to work out more than I already do,” said Pvt. Johnny Rodriguez, one of the soldiers being tested. “I’m in the infantry now, but I want to see if I can do this.”