Under the leadership of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, the Pentagon is taking important steps to restore the high standards that have long defined the U.S. military, particularly in areas of physical fitness and grooming. In a recent statement, Pentagon press secretary John Ullyot pointed out the deterioration of these standards, especially during the tenure of former Joint Chiefs Chairman General Mark Milley. Ullyot attributed the decline to Milley’s personal example, citing his own physical condition as a poor representation of military discipline. Secretary Hegseth is determined to reverse this trend and reestablish the rigorous standards that ensure military readiness and strength.
Hegseth’s push for change comes in the wake of concerns that fitness requirements have become too lenient, particularly after the military’s decision to implement gender-neutral standards in certain areas. One key aspect of the review focuses on grooming, especially beard regulations, reflecting a broader examination of physical fitness and body composition standards. The memo instructs the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness to evaluate existing military standards, considering changes since 2015. These efforts aim to ensure that U.S. forces are both physically capable and looking sharp, not sloppy.
Secretary Hegseth has made it clear that the goal is to uphold meritocracy and fitness, stating, “Our troops are going to be fit, not fat. Our troops are going to look sharp—not sloppy. We seek only quality—not quotas.” This review of military standards also addresses gender equality, affirming that all soldiers, regardless of gender, must meet the same exacting standards for physical readiness.
In his confirmation hearings, Hegseth emphasized that women in combat roles should be held to the same high standards as men. This clarification signals a commitment to ensuring that fitness and readiness take precedence over considerations of equity or quotas. The recent Army Combat Fitness Test, introduced in 2023, serves as a concrete example of this shift toward merit-based standards, with a focus on physical ability rather than gender.
Additionally, the military’s growing trend of accommodating recruits who fail to meet fitness standards, in response to a recruitment crisis, is being reassessed. Hegseth has been outspoken about how relaxed standards in recent years—such as allowing hairstyles like dreadlocks and man buns—have undermined the military’s image. He has argued that such accommodations are part of a larger trend of prioritizing “equity” over military excellence, a view he continues to challenge.
As the Pentagon embarks on this important review, it’s clear that the military is refocusing on what truly matters: physical readiness, discipline, and the strength of our armed forces. The time to restore these crucial standards is now.