No Entry for Fat People: Pete Hegseth's Unusual Demand from the Pentagon

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is demanding that the Pentagon only select elite soldiers for his upcoming speech on September 30, imposing strict physical standards. The demand continues his policy against 'fat and bearded generals' and sparks criticism over narrowing military focus.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is demanding strict conditions from the Pentagon ahead of his planned speech on September 30. According to reports, the Pentagon is seeking soldiers who meet specific physical standards, including passing fitness tests and standard appearance requirements. The document requires candidates ranked as top performers in their units, with a record of integrity and discipline. The demand continues Hegseth's policy from last fall, when he convened all generals and admirals to enforce a 'warrior ethos' and distance himself from the previous administration's policies he called 'woke'. Hegseth then said the military was 'forced by reckless politicians to focus on the wrong things' and that the speech is about correcting 'decades of decay'. Critics argue his focus is too narrow and warn against using soldiers to advance a political agenda. Pentagon officials declined to comment.