Hegseth Orders Department Wide Review of Grooming and Fitness Standards
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered a sweeping review of the military’s physical fitness, body composition, and grooming standards, signaling a renewed emphasis on warfighting readiness and merit-based performance. The directive, issued in a March 12, 2025 memorandum, calls for a comprehensive assessment of how military standards have evolved over the past decade—and whether those changes have enhanced or eroded combat effectiveness.
“We must remain vigilant in maintaining the standards that enable the men and women of our military to protect the American people and our homeland as the world’s most lethal and effective fighting force,” Hegseth wrote, underscoring the need for uncompromising standards in a time of rising global threats.
A critical part of this review will examine why and how standards have shifted, particularly under previous Pentagon leadership. The move follows concerns that recent policies have prioritized diversity initiatives and bureaucratic accommodations over battlefield effectiveness. Pentagon Press Secretary John Ullyot made the administration’s stance clear, telling Breitbart News that “the U.S. military’s high standards on body composition and other metrics eroded in recent years, particularly during the tenure of former Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley, who set a bad example from the top through his own personal corpulence.”
Our troops will be fit — not fat.
Our troops will look sharp — not sloppy.
We seek only quality — not quotas.
BOTTOM LINE: our @DeptofDefense will make standards HIGH & GREAT again — across the entire force. https://t.co/hB1LOh9n4W
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) March 13, 2025
Hegseth has consistently emphasized that returning the military to its core mission—war-fighting—requires a force that is physically capable, mentally disciplined, and unburdened by politically motivated policy changes. During his Senate confirmation hearing in January, he reaffirmed this position to Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), stressing that combat readiness demands rigorous, gender-neutral standards based on job requirements, not quotas.
“The weight of the ruck on your back does not change. The weight of the 155 round that you have to carry does not change. The weight of the 240-Bravo machine gun you might have to carry does not change,” Hegseth said. “And so whether it is a man or a woman, they have to meet the same high standards.”
Strength equals readiness. Kicked off the day with PT alongside the warriors of 1/10 SFG.
No bureacracy—just sharp minds, strong bodies, and a mission-first mindset. pic.twitter.com/9lATvWhabH
— Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (@SecDef) February 11, 2025
The review, led by the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (USD(P&R)), will evaluate current standards across all branches and determine whether any alterations—such as relaxed fitness requirements, body composition adjustments, or grooming policies—have negatively impacted force readiness. Special attention will be paid to whether past changes were made to meet political objectives rather than operational needs.
Hegseth’s leadership has already made a visible impact on the military’s culture. Since taking office, he has made a point of training alongside troops, reinforcing his belief that leadership must set the standard. Last month, photos of Hegseth conducting physical training with the 10th Special Forces Group in Germany went viral, further solidifying his commitment to leading by example.