Pete Hegseth Reportedly Demands Troops Attending His Speech Must Be Fit and Meet ‘Impeccable Grooming’ Standards

AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is seeking fit, well-groomed troops to attend his upcoming “State of the Force” address — and potentially join him for a workout — according to The Wall Street Journal.

The Pentagon has asked military commanders to put forward service members for the Sept. 30 event who meet specific fitness and appearance standards, the Journal reported, citing emails it reviewed.

One such email, sent to Army commanders Tuesday, said potential attendees must pass the Army fitness test and satisfy its waist-to-height ratio, while maintaining “impeccable grooming and uniform standards (no exception).” Officials told the outlet that other military commands received similar instructions.

The Pentagon is also looking for candidates who are “consistently rated as top performers within their formations” and possess a “clear record of integrity, discipline and selfless service,” according to the email.

Those selected should also “demonstrate strong presence, clear communication and sound judgment under pressure” and “serve as role models for their peers and subordinates.”

The attendees, who this year will include lower-ranking officers and enlisted service members, will be chosen based on “demonstrated leadership quality and professional character.” They will also have the chance to work out with Hegseth.

The gathering comes one year after Hegseth summoned the military’s top generals and admirals to Marine Corps Base Quantico for a lecture on “warrior ethos.”

Per The Washington Post at the time, though, Hegseth’s directive — just one week before the scheduled speech — sparked unease across military circles, with staff officers scrambling to arrange last-minute travel.

It was during that address that Hegseth made physical standards a central theme, declaring there would be “no more beardos” or “fat generals.”

President Donald Trump also addressed the nation’s top brass last September, offering his take on subjects ranging from nuclear weapons to his love of gold-edged stationery to the care he takes when walking down the stairs.

A Pentagon official declined to comment to the Journal.

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