Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has issued a fiery warning to America’s top military leaders: no more “fat generals and admirals.” In a bold speech at Quantico, Virginia, Hegseth declared that every service member — from the lowest ranks to the Pentagon’s top brass — must meet strict fitness requirements. He called for uniform, gender-neutral, and high standards, insisting that physical readiness is the foundation of military strength.
From twice-yearly PT tests to height and weight checks, Hegseth says the U.S. military must return to a true “warrior ethos.” His tough stance is sparking heated debate about discipline, gender standards, and the future of America’s armed forces.
00:00These tests, they'll look familiar. They'll resemble the Army Expert Physical Fitness Assessment or the Marine Corps Combat Fitness Test.
00:09I'm also directing that warfighters in combat jobs execute their service fitness test at a gender-neutral, age-normed, male standard scored above 70%.
00:21It all starts with physical fitness. These tests, they'll look familiar. They'll resemble the Army Expert Physical Fitness Assessment.
00:30Or the Marine Corps Combat Fitness Test.
00:33I'm also directing that warfighters in combat jobs execute their service fitness test at a gender-neutral, age-normed, male standard scored above 70%.
00:45It all starts with physical fitness and appearance.
00:50If the Secretary of War can do regular, hard PT, so can every member of our Joint Force.
00:56Frankly, it's tiring to look out at combat formations, or really any formation, and see fat troops.
01:05Likewise, it's completely unacceptable to see fat generals and admirals in the halls of the Pentagon and leading commands around the country and the world.
01:12It's a bad look. It is bad, and it's not who we are.
01:15So whether you're an airborne ranger or a chair-borne ranger, a brand-new private or a four-star general, you need to meet the height and weight standards and pass your PT test.
01:26And as the chairman said, yes, there is no PT test.
01:29But today, at my direction, every member of the Joint Force at every rank is required to take a PT test twice a year, as well as meet height and weight requirements twice a year, every year of service.
01:44Also, today, at my direction, every warrior across our Joint Force is required to do PT every duty day.
01:54It should be common sense. I mean, most units do that already.
01:57But we're codifying it.
01:59And we're not talking, like, hot yoga and stretching.
02:03Real hard PT, either as a unit or as an individual.
02:06At every level, from the Joint Chiefs to everyone in this room to the youngest private, leaders set the standard.
02:13And so many of you do this already.
02:15Active, guard, and reserve.
02:19This also means grooming standards.
02:21No more beards, long hair, superficial individual expression.
02:26We're going to cut our hair, shave our beards, and adhere to standards.
02:31Because it's like the broken windows theory of policing.
02:33It's like when you let the small stuff go, the big stuff eventually goes.
02:37So you have to address the small stuff.
02:39This is on duty, in the field, and in the rear.
02:42If you want a beard, you can join special forces.
02:45If not, then shave.
02:47We don't have a military full of Nordic pagans.
02:52But unfortunately, we have had leaders who either refused to call BS and enforce standards,
02:57or leaders who felt like they were not allowed to enforce standards.
03:02Both are unacceptable.
03:03And that's why today at My Direction, the era of unprofessional appearance is over.
03:10No more beardos.
03:12The era of rampant and ridiculous shaving profiles is done.
03:15Simply put, if you do not meet the male-level physical standards for combat positions,
03:21cannot pass a PT test, or don't want to shave and look professional,
03:25it's time for a new position.
03:27Or a new profession.
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