Defense Sec. Hegseth declares an end to ‘politically correct’ leadership in the US military, says military leaders who disagree with his directives should ‘resign’

QUANTICO, Va. (BN240 — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth summoned hundreds of U.S. military officials to an extraordinary in-person meeting Tuesday, announcing sweeping directives that include implementing gender-neutral or male-level physical fitness standards and eliminating what he characterized as “woke” culture from the armed forces.

“The era of politically correct, overly sensitive don’t-hurt-anyone’s-feelings leadership ends right now at every level,” Hegseth declared during the unusual gathering at Marine Corps Base Quantico, where generals and admirals from around the world had been called without initially being informed of the meeting’s purpose.

Hegseth told military leaders they should “do the honorable thing and resign” if they disagree with his new approach, marking a confrontational tone unprecedented in recent Pentagon leadership. The defense secretary used the platform to criticize physical fitness and grooming standards, environmental policies and transgender troops while announcing loosened disciplinary rules and weakened hazing protections.

The secretary outlined 10 new Defense Department directives involving physical fitness requirements, grooming standards and return to what he called “the highest male standard” for combat positions. He specifically criticized overweight service members and senior officers.

“If you do not meet the male level physical standards for combat positions, cannot pass a PT test or don’t want to shave and look professional, it’s time for a new position or a new profession,” Hegseth said, adding that “it’s tiring to look out at combat formations, or really any formation, and see fat troops.”

Hegseth escalated his criticism of senior leadership appearance, stating that “it’s completely unacceptable to see fat generals and admirals in the halls of the Pentagon and leading commands around the world. It’s a bad look.” He said he does not want his son serving with out-of-shape troops or alongside females who cannot meet the same combat arms physical standards as men.

The defense secretary emphasized restoring what he termed “a ruthless, dispassionate and commonsense application of standards” while announcing an end to shaving exemptions. “No more beardos, the era of rampant and ridiculous shaving profiles are done,” he said, declaring that “the era of unprofessional appearance is over.”

Hegseth announced he would overhaul the Pentagon’s inspector general and the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Military Equal Opportunity program under what he called the “no more walking on eggshells” policy. “We are liberating commanders and NCOs,” he said. “We are liberating you.”

The secretary criticized what he characterized as a “poisonous culture of risk aversion” and demanded that senior military leaders ensure troops can trust that warriors alongside them in battle are “capable, truly, physically capable of doing what is necessary under fire.”

Addressing his controversial firing of senior military officers soon after his confirmation, Hegseth defended the decisions by arguing that “it’s nearly impossible to change a culture with the same people who helped create or even benefited from that culture.” However, he acknowledged those fired leaders were “following elected political leadership.”

“An entire generation of generals and admirals were told that they must parrot the insane fallacy that ‘our diversity is our strength,'” Hegseth said, adding that “the new compass heading is clear: Out with the Chiarellis, the McKenzies and the Millies,” apparently referencing former Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley, former U.S. Central Command Commander Gen. Frank McKenzie and retired Gen. Peter Chiarelli.

Hegseth claimed the Pentagon under his leadership is “ending the war on warriors” and alleged his predecessors promoted leaders based on race, gender quotas and “historic so-called firsts.” He blamed “foolish and reckless politicians” for focusing on “the wrong things” and said he aims to fix “decades of decay.”

“We lost our way and we became the ‘woke’ department, but not anymore,” Hegseth declared, stating that warfighters are entitled to be led by the “best and most capable leaders” rather than those selected based on what he characterized as diversity considerations.

The secretary announced a full review of the department’s definitions of “toxic leadership, bullying and hazing, to empower leaders to enforce standards without fear of retribution or second-guessing.” He argued that terms like “bullying and hazing and toxic” have been “weaponized and bastardized inside our formations, undercutting commanders and NCOs.”

“Real toxic leadership is promoting destructive ideologies that are an anathema to the Constitution and the laws of nature and nature’s God, as Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independence,” Hegseth said. “The definition of toxic has been turned upside down, and we’re correcting that.”

The defense secretary also announced new “proactive social media policies” aimed at eliminating criticism of commanders on anonymous platforms. “Anonymous, online or keyboard complaining is not worthy of a warrior,” he said. “It’s cowardice masquerading as conscience. Anonymous, unit level social media pages that trash commanders, demoralize troops and undermine unit cohesion must not be tolerated.”

Hegseth suggested welcoming a loosening of rules of engagement, stating that “we untie the hands of our warfighters to intimidate, demoralize, hunt and kill the enemies of our country.” He added that there would be “no more politically correct and overbearing rules of engagement.”

The secretary repeatedly referenced President Trump’s executive order renaming the Defense Department as the Department of War, though the name can only officially be changed by Congress. Hegseth claimed that since the War Department’s name was changed in 1947, the United States has not won a “major theater war.”

He likened the new military standards to Trump’s global tariffs announced in April, which the president called “Liberation Day,” characterizing his directives as marking the “liberation of America’s warriors, in name, indeed, and in authorities.” Hegseth told assembled officers, “You kill people and break things for a living.”

The defense secretary urged military leaders to say “never again to nation building and nebulous end states,” drawing parallels to veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan. He said “this clear-eyed view all the way to the White House” and Trump’s “military buildup” would position the United States for future victories.

“We embrace the War Department, and we must,” Hegseth said. “We are preparing every day to win, not just to defend. Defense is something you do all the time. It’s inherently reactionary and can lead to overuse, overreach and mission creep.”

President Trump also addressed the generals during the meeting, saying “together, we’re reawakening the warrior spirit.” His remarks, exceeding an hour, included discussions of the Nobel Peace Prize, peace negotiations between Israel and Hamas and his enthusiasm for tariffs. Trump said his administration is committing $1 trillion in 2026 for military spending.

Neither Trump nor Hegseth addressed the looming government shutdown during their remarks. Active-duty troops will be required to report for duty if the government shuts down, but their pay will be delayed until funding resumes.

The extraordinary meeting and sweeping policy announcements represent one of the most dramatic attempts to reshape military culture and leadership in recent Pentagon history, with Hegseth making clear that officers who cannot embrace his vision should leave military service.