Hegseth Comments On Report About Reservists Troops
A sobering new report from the American Security Project (ASP) has cast a harsh spotlight on a critical vulnerability within America's military ranks: more than two-thirds of National Guard and Reserve personnel are now classified as overweight, raising urgent questions about the readiness and long-term viability of the nation's strategic reserve forces.
The study’s findings, released this week, paint a concerning picture. With the shrinking size of the active-duty military and the rising reliance on Guard and Reserve troops for both domestic and overseas missions, the stakes could not be higher. Service members sidelined by obesity and related health problems represent a loss the Armed Forces simply cannot afford. Researchers emphasized the gravity of the issue, warning that those separated for health reasons are "vital personnel" essential to maintaining national security.
Completely unacceptable.
This is what happens when standards are IGNORED — and this is what we are changing. REAL fitness & weight standards are here.
We will be FIT, not FAT. pic.twitter.com/KWMlFbS1c8
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) April 25, 2025
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, speaking just one day before the study’s release at the Army War College, did not mince words. “All military personnel need to be fit, not fat,” he declared, reinforcing his consistent call for stricter fitness standards across all branches.
The Department of Defense’s last detailed look at obesity among reservists, dating back to 2018, showed that 65% of Guard and Reserve troops were overweight or obese. Today, the ASP estimates that figure has crept up to an alarming 68%.
The Army National Guard is hit hardest, with 21% of its members meeting the clinical definition of obesity — a rate that carries significant health implications. The risks extend far beyond physical appearance, encompassing serious conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, kidney dysfunction, and even life-threatening events like strokes and heart failure.
The ASP report warns that solving the obesity crisis within the reserves will require a tailored approach, not a one-size-fits-all solution. Unlike active-duty troops, Guard and Reserve members serve part-time and often face different lifestyle pressures, making it harder to maintain strict fitness routines. These unique circumstances must inform any policy reforms aimed at reversing the troubling trend.
We’re a few days away from a judge blocking this and stating there’s a constitutional right to be fat in the military. https://t.co/QVpPQkB1eM
— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) April 25, 2025
To address the escalating issue, researchers recommend expanding research efforts, implementing better tracking systems for reservist health, and providing consistent medical insurance coverage to all Guard and Reserve personnel. Improvements in the military’s electronic health records system, they noted, could be instrumental in monitoring progress over time.