Hegseth announced new fitness requirements, stating that combat troops must score above 70% on the masculine standard in physical tests. He openly criticized seeing “fat generals and admirals” in the Pentagon, calling it a bad image for the country. He also expressed his controversial view that women should not serve in combat units unless they can meet the same physical standards as men.
Trump delivered a wide-ranging 72-minute speech, where he discussed everything from tariffs and Joe Biden to his frustrations with Vladimir Putin. He claimed the U.S. is facing an “invasion from within” by leftist forces. He stressed that the military should be so strong that no enemy would dare threaten the nation. The event signaled a major push to reshape the military’s culture, prioritizing physical dominance and a “warrior spirit.”