Hegseth Condemns Military Culture, Promises Major Reforms
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth launched a scathing attack on what he called decades of decay in the military, blaming “fat generals” and “woke” policies for eroding standards. Speaking at a rare high-level gathering of top commanders in Quantico, Virginia, Hegseth warned officers to resign if they do not support his reform agenda.
“The era of the Woke Department is over,” Hegseth declared. He defended the firing of senior officers, including the U.S. military’s top general and the Navy’s top admiral, saying they had become part of a broken and overly cautious culture. He also criticized how discrimination complaints are handled, claiming the system keeps leaders walking on “egg shells.”
“If what I’m saying makes your heart sink, do the honorable thing and resign,” he told the silent auditorium. He added, “I believe the majority of you feel the opposite. These words make your hearts full.”
Fitness, Grooming, and Loyalty Take Center Stage
Hegseth took aim at the physical appearance of leadership, calling overweight generals “unacceptable.” He announced that all fitness tests will now follow male-only benchmarks and declared grooming standards would be strictly enforced. “No more beardos,” he said.
President Donald Trump also addressed the event, supporting Hegseth’s message. He joked about firing officers who disagreed with him but reiterated his support for the military. “I have your backs 100 percent,” Trump said.
Trump also criticized diversity initiatives and said all promotions must be based strictly on merit. The gathering comes amid sweeping changes at the Pentagon, including major leadership shakeups and policy overhauls under the Trump administration.
