Hegseth dragged hundreds of generals to DC to tell them no more fat troops or 'beardos'

"Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth delivered an impassioned speech that might otherwise have been a departmental memo to 800 generals and admirals Tuesday morning, telling the leaders that the military will "restore a ruthless, dispassionate and common sense application of standards" that will no longer tolerate overweight troops or beards. Much of Hegseth's speech focused on issues he has publicly criticized and is already changing."

"This month, for instance, DoD issued a ban on permanent beard waivers, a move critics say unfairly targets Black troops who more frequently suffer chronic razor burn. "No more beardos," he said. "The era of rampant and ridiculous shaving profiles is done." If troops want beards, then they can join special operations forces, he added. These units are not exclusively subject to the general DoD-wide policies."

"Mandatory daily physical training is also set to start, along with newly enforced twice-yearly fitness tests. "It's tiring to look out at combat formations, or really any formation, and see fat troops," said Hegseth. "Likewise, it's completely unacceptable to see fat generals inthe Pentagon and leading commands around the country and the world."

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth directed 800 generals and admirals to implement stricter fitness and grooming standards across the armed forces. He demanded a "ruthless, dispassionate and common sense application of standards" to eliminate overweight troops and routine beard waivers. The Department of Defense banned permanent beard waivers this month, a change critics say disproportionately affects Black service members who more frequently suffer chronic razor burn. Beards will be limited primarily to special operations forces. Mandatory daily physical training and twice-yearly fitness tests will be enforced. New reviews will assess female fitness standards for combat roles and redefine toxic leadership.

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