WASHINGTON — Secretary of War Pete Hegseth delivered a pointed message to an extraordinary assembly of America’s senior military leaders on Tuesday, declaring that combat personnel are required to achieve “male-level” fitness standards in order to be prepared for “life and death” scenarios.
He stated that if women and “less fit men” fail to meet these requirements, “so be it,” during his address at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia.
“Honestly, it’s disheartening to observe combat formations — and really any formations — and see overweight personnel,” he continued. “It’s unacceptable to have overweight generals and admirals at the Pentagon and representing our country globally.”
“It does not reflect our values,” he asserted.
Hegseth’s directive concerning fitness will be disseminated across all branches of the military, featuring new expectations and requirements for service members.
Combat-ready units will be obligated to engage in “rigorous” physical training daily and will be required to pass two evaluations each year to confirm that they meet the “highest male standards.”
At 45, Hegseth has been seen joining service members in physical training exercises and even challenged Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to a “Pete and Bobby Challenge” as a way to motivate Americans to embrace fitness.
“I don’t want my son serving next to soldiers who are not fit, or in combat teams with female personnel who cannot fulfill the same physical standards as their male counterparts, or soldiers who lack proficiency with their assigned weaponry, or serve under a leader who is known as ‘the first’ but not ‘the best,'” the secretary explained.
“Standards must be consistent, gender-neutral, and elevated. Otherwise, they’re simply not standards. They morph into mere suggestions — suggestions that could cost our sons and daughters their lives.”
Hegseth also asserted that an excessive number of military promotions have been based on identity rather than capability.
“The time of politically correct, overly cautious leadership that avoids hurting anyone’s feelings ends here and now at every level,” Hegseth emphasized, urging any officers who oppose his strategy to “do the honorable thing and step down.”
“We will see more leadership changes,” Hegseth affirmed. “This, I guarantee.”
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