SecWar (how I love that new title) Pete Hegseth has apparently read the Riot Act to the fat cats at the upper end of the chain of command:
“The era of politically correct, overly sensitive don’t-hurt-anyone’s-feelings leadership ends right now at every level,” Hegseth said at the Marine Corps base in Quantico, Virginia.
He also announced at the meeting new directives for troops that include “gender-neutral” or “male-level” standards for physical fitness as well as an end to “woke” culture in the military, according to the Associated Press.
Hegseth also said he is changing fitness and appearance standards for the military, while setting the “Golden Rule” test.
Hegseth began his speech by saying: “Welcome to the War Department.” He also said: “The era of the Department of Defense is over.”
The secretary said the mission of the Pentagon is “warfighting: preparing for war and preparing to win, unrelenting and uncompromising in that pursuit.”
“Our warfighters are entitled to be led by the best and most capable leaders,” he said. “That is who we need you all to be.”
“We lost our way, and we became the ‘woke’ department, but not anymore,” Hegseth also said.
The secretary said that he is sending out 10 new DOD directives regarding physical fitness and grooming requirements, including a return to “the highest male standard” for combat positions.
“If you do not meet the male level physical standards for combat positions, cannot pass a PT test, or don’t want to shave and look professional, it’s time for a new position or a new profession,” he said.
Hegseth added that “it’s tiring to look out at combat formations, or really any formation, and see fat troops. Likewise, it’s completely unacceptable to see fat generals and admirals in the halls of the Pentagon and leading commands around the world. It’s a bad look.”
Everyone agreeing with Pete, raise your hands…
Watch what happens to recruitment numbers…
Some websites say there will be a sincerity exemption for beards, which will mainly benefit Sikhs.
The principal rationale for forbidding facial hair is that it interferes with effective use of OBA’s and similar face protection. FWIW I grew mine, with Elmo’s endorsement, while becoming a (Golden!) bluenose in 1970.
As to the masking objection, a little bit of boy butter – DC4 – solves it.
Haven’t shaved since.
.
Keep the government shut down as long as possible.
I know it’s really only parts of it that are shut down however they can do less damage while it’s shut down.
Without an announcement that the government is shut down few would notice
Use this to trim the fat of nonessential employees
Explain to me again why we even have “nonessential employees” . Did Doge miss those ?
I like that Pete added he was getting rid of those ridiculous ” Rules of engagement “.
As Harvey said to Butch Cassidy ” Rules???? There are no rules in a Knife Fight”.
The only thing I can think of that are nonessential employees are people who are hired at the Smithsonian Institution or maybe the National parks and such. I’m sure there are many, even too many, positions in the government that are nice to have but when push comes to shove, really aren’t needed. I’m sure many of those positions can be eliminated.
I think DOGE focused on the spending abuses since one bureaucrat could award lots of taxpayer money in the millions or billions of dollars. That’s a far bigger savings to realize.
I have one issue with what the DoD is doing.
One tiny one.
Back in the 80s when I was young and sex, I was in the Marine Corps. And we and this dude–big black guy–who’s name is irrelevant. Let’s call him Joe.
Joe was big, Joe was overweight. Joe had problems with the 3 mile run, but he could get his pull ups and situps done ok.
But Joe could also do a standing back flip. In boots and BDUs, on concrete. Joe was (usually) a rescue man on the firetruck (Aircraft firefighting), and Joe was big enough, and strong enough that he COULD pull a pilot out of a burning aircraft and carry him out of the fire.
Joe may not have looked great in dress blues, and yeah, had a bit of a drinking problem (common in the Marines in the 80s), but once he sobered up he could get the job done.
And really, what’s more important, a nice looking formation, or the ability to do the job?
And yeah, we have to have PT standards, and certainly have grooming standards, and those ABSOLUTELY should apply from the lowest private to guys with stars on their collars, but they should also be tuned so that Joe doesn’t get driven out just because he’s a bit bigger than some SecWar thinks is aesthetically pleasing.
I didn’t see the speech or read the transcript but I bet Hegseth was way too slack.
People seem to forget that soldiers are supposed to be WARRIORS, not civilians in uniforms bought with stolen money.
How long before the traditional caterwauling of “This is ray-ciss an’ sexist and shit” commences?
I want to lay in more popcorn.
Kim,
I was in the Army Reserves from 1960-1966.
The 250th anniversary parade in Washington was a heart breaker. The troops couldn’t even march! My God. A soldier in Basic with just one week under his belt did a better job. And the fat?
Speaking of allowing the Drill Sergeants to “put hands on recruits” reminds me of my brother’s first trip home after Marine Basic. Dad asked about some lumps on the back of Jimmy’s head. He said that he and the DI had a difference of opinion. The DI took him into the latrine and beat his head against the wall until my brother accepted the DI’s point of view.