<p>I didn’t interpret the change that way. If anything, it shifts the PAE to more closely match the APFT, used throughout the service, by adding situps and a longer distance run.</p>
<p>The new PAE looks to me to be more challenging, but more balanced (the standing long jump has always stood out as a low value added measure). I particularly like that it encourages women to shift from the flexed arm hang to pullups (one pullup is worth more than the max seconds on flexed arm hang).</p>
<p>I’m not sure Fleming was referring to women in his article - as they have the same average stats as the entire USNA class. He references the set-aside groups of athletes, minorities, and prior enlisted.</p>