'Our troops will be fit—not fat': Pete Hegseth orders review of fitness, grooming standards in US military

On Wednesday morning, Trump administration Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered a review of fitness as well as grooming standards in the military. “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 said in a memo.

“Our adversaries are not growing weaker, and our tasks are not growing less challenging. This review will illuminate how the Department has maintained the level of standards required over the recent past and the trajectory of any change in those standards," he added.

In a post to X, Hegseth wrote, "Our troops will be fit — not fat. Our troops will look sharp — not sloppy. We seek only quality — not quotas. BOTTOM LINE: our Department of Defense will make standards HIGH & GREAT again — across the entire force."

The memo instructed the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness to "gather the existing standards set by the Military Departments pertaining to physical fitness, body composition, and grooming, which includes but is not limited to beards" in order to conduct the review of the standards.

As Hegseth was appointed to lead the Pentagon, he has promised to bring back a "warrior ethos" to the military force. The review will also look into why standards have changed in the military in the last decade. During his Senate confirmation hearings and previously, Hegseth has been critical of DEI programs in the military as well as the lowering of fitness and other standards.