US War Secretary Pete Hegseth: 'Completely unacceptable' to see 'fat generals', will implement new physical fitness test

Pete Hegseth told a room of U.S. generals who had flown in from all parts of the world that the American military is culturally shifting away from decades of decay.

He slammed "fat troops" and the "fat generals" leading them.

"It all starts with physical fitness and appearance. If the secretary of war can do regular hard PT, so can every member of our joint force.

Frankly, it's tiring to look out at combat formations, or really any formation, and see fat troops.

Likewise, it's completely unacceptable to see fat generals and admirals in the halls of the Pentagon and leading commands around the country and the world.

It's a bad look. It is bad, and it's not who we are."

He then laid out the requirements going forward.

"So, whether you're an airborne Ranger or a chairborne Ranger, a brand new private or a four star general, you need to meet the height and weight standards and pass your PT test.

And as the chairman said, yes, there is no PT test. But today, at my direction, every member of the joint force at every rank is required to take a PT test twice a year, as well as meet height and weight requirements twice a year every year of service."

Hegseth then said everyone in their joint forces is required to do PT every single day.

He also took aim at diversity initiatives from previous administrations.

"An entire generation of generals and admirals were told that they must parrot the insane fallacy that "our diversity is our strength." Of course, we know our unity is our strength.

They had to put out dizzying DEI and LGBTQI+ statements. They were told females and males are the same thing, or that males who think they're females is totally normal."

Hegseth said he was not against women serving, but that physical standards must be "high and gender-neutral".

"If women can make it, excellent. If not, it is what it is. If that means no women qualify for some combat jobs, so be it. That is not the intent, but it could be the result. So be it. It will also mean that weak men won't qualify because we're not playing games. This is combat. This is life or death."

He had also outlined what his newly-named Department of War would focus on. Warfighting, specifically to prepare for war, and to prepare to win.

"Our number one job, of course, is to be strong so that we can prevent war in the first place. The president talks about it all the time. It's called peace through strength. And as history teaches us, the only people who actually deserve peace are those who are willing to wage war to defend it."

He said the price of war is why he owes America a victory if they indeed enter a war.

"And since waging war is so costly in blood and treasure, we owe our republic a military that will win any war we choose or any war that is thrust upon us. Should our enemies choose foolishly to challenge us, they will be crushed by the violence, precision and ferocity of the War Department."

Ending off that warning with this:

"In other words, to our enemies, FAFO."

He ended off his speech with a recounting of a prayer he recited recently:

"But the prayer, it ends like this. And most of all, Lord, please keep my soldiers safe, lead them, guide them, protect them, watch over them. And as you gave all of yourself for me, help me give all of myself for them. And amen.

I've prayed this prayer many times since I've had the privilege of being your Secretary, and I will continue to pray this prayer for each of you as you command and lead our nation's finest.

Go forth and do good things, hard things. President Trump has your back and so do I, and you'll hear from him shortly. Move out and draw fire, because we are the War Department. Godspeed."

You can watch the full speech here.

Image from Department of War/YouTube