Quantico, VA – In a fiery address to the nation’s top military leaders, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced a hardline overhaul of physical and grooming standards, declaring that unfit and undertrained troops “will no longer be tolerated.”
Speaking before hundreds of generals, admirals, and senior enlisted personnel at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Hegseth outlined a new policy mandating vigorous daily exercise and twice-yearly fitness tests for all active-duty service members.
He said the same physical standards will apply to both men and women, calling it a “return to merit-based readiness.”
A memo titled “Military Fitness Standards” also requires National Guard and reserve troops to complete at least one annual test and maintain their own conditioning while off duty.
Hegseth said overweight troops—and their superiors—would face strict consequences. “It’s completely unacceptable to see fat generals and admirals in the halls of the Pentagon,” he said.
Gender-neutral standards and stricter discipline
Under the new directive, every branch must adopt gender-neutral testing for combat and noncombat roles. Commanders will be held directly accountable for ensuring compliance.
The initiative is part of a broader campaign to rebuild what Hegseth called “a formidable and lethal Department of War,” emphasizing physical toughness, discipline, and merit over bureaucracy and quotas.
Service members failing to meet the new standards will face remedial programs or potential dismissal, according to senior defense officials familiar with the policy.
New grooming mandate
In a separate memo titled “Grooming Standards for Facial Hair Implementation,” Hegseth also reinstated strict appearance rules across all branches.
“Beards, goatees, and other facial hair are prohibited unless specifically authorized,” the directive states. Mustaches remain allowed but must be neatly trimmed and not extend past the mouth corners.
“If you want a beard, you can join special forces,” Hegseth told the crowd. “If not, then shave. We don’t have a military full of Nordic pagans.”
The updated code requires all personnel to maintain a clean-shaven face, with sideburns kept above the ear opening.
Push for a “reawakened warrior culture”
The reforms follow a series of Defense Department initiatives under the Trump administration aimed at reshaping the military’s culture, hierarchy, and standards.
Hegseth’s remarks echoed President Trump’s recent comments about restoring “a reawakened warrior spirit” and basing promotions on performance rather than diversity metrics.
Hegseth concluded by saying the shift is about returning to fundamentals: “Leading warfighters toward high, gender-neutral and uncompromising standards isn’t toxic—it’s our duty.”