Hegseth restoring physical Readiness among Troops

Pentagon sets weight and grooming standards for troops attending Hegseth's upcoming address

Hegseth tells Troops to get in shape

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's office is requiring service members to pass waist-to-height and grooming checks before they can attend his "State of the Force" address later this month, a move that underscores his push to restore physical readiness across the ranks.

Internal Pentagon emails sent to Army commanders lay out a strict set of criteria for selecting which troops get a seat at the event. Candidates must meet waist-to-height requirements, maintain what the emails call "impeccable grooming and uniform standards (no exception)," and carry a "clear record of integrity, discipline and selfless service," The Hill reported, citing a Wall Street Journal investigation that first surfaced the emails.

The standards go beyond appearance. Commanders picking audience members, drawn from lower-ranking officers and enlisted personnel, must also verify that each candidate is "consistently rated as top performers within their formations" and can "demonstrate strong presence, clear communication and sound judgment under pressure." Selected troops, the emails add, should "serve as role models for their peers and subordinates."

Those who make the cut will also get a chance to work out alongside the Defense secretary, a privilege the Pentagon tied to "demonstrated leadership quality and professional character."

A military that asks its troops to be fit, disciplined, and well-groomed before they sit in the same room as the Defense secretary should not be controversial, it should be the bare minimum.

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