Pentagon Secretary Pete Hegseth has asked Army commanders to nominate service members who meet strict grooming, uniform and body-composition standards to attend his upcoming 'State of the Force' address. Nominees must pass the Army Combat Fitness Test and meet a 0.55 waist-to-height ratio, and commanders are to select candidates based on leadership, integrity and discipline. The move follows Hegseth's prior comments criticizing 'fat generals' and stricter grooming enforcement across the services.
Hegseth Asks Commanders To Nominate Troops Based On Grooming, Fitness And Waist-To-Height Standards For 'State Of The Force' Address
Kylie Cooper / REUTERS
Pentagon Secretary Pete Hegseth has asked senior Army leaders to nominate service members who meet strict grooming, uniform and body-composition standards to stand with him at his upcoming 'State of the Force' address later this month, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Hegseth's bizarre obsession with looks has been a major facet of his tenure at the Pentagon. / Evelyn Hockstein / REUTERS
The request — conveyed in an email to Army commanders — asks that nominees display 'impeccable grooming and uniform standards,' pass the Army Combat Fitness Test, and meet the Army's waist-to-height ratio benchmark of 0.55. Commanders were instructed to consider demonstrated leadership, professional character, and a clear record of integrity, discipline, and selfless service when selecting candidates.
Hegseth often tries to show off how strong he is by exercising publicly alongside service members. / Heather Diehl / Heather Diehl, Getty Images
Under Hegseth's leadership, the Army adopted the waist-to-height ratio as its official body-composition screening method. The metric divides a soldier's waist measurement at the navel (in inches) by height; service members who exceed the 0.55 cutoff on semiannual assessments are enrolled in the Army Body Composition Program.
Massie will force his GOP colleagues to take a vote on whether to impeach Hegseth. / Evan Vucci / REUTERS
The Journal also reported that troops chosen to attend may be invited to exercise alongside Hegseth. The defense secretary has publicly criticized what he described as 'fat generals' and has pushed for stricter grooming standards, including discouraging beards as inconsistent with a 'warrior ethos.' A June incident in which sailors were flagged for grooming concerns prompted the acting Navy secretary to issue a memo reinforcing enforcement of standards.
Hegseth forced top military brass stationed around the world to listen to his bizarre
Unlike last year's event, which was limited to senior generals and admirals, this year's audience will include lower-ranking officers and enlisted personnel as well. The Daily Beast and other outlets have sought comment from Pentagon officials; no official response had been published at the time of reporting.
Why it matters: Supporters say tighter appearance and fitness standards underscore readiness and discipline. Critics warn the approach risks overemphasizing looks at the expense of performance, morale and inclusivity.
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