US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced that the U.S. military will require combatants to meet the “highest male standard” in physical fitness tests, a move that could exclude some women from certain roles.
Speaking at Marine Corps Base Quantico near Washington, D.C., Hegseth emphasized that standards must be “uniform, gender neutral, and high,” framing the measure as part of a broader effort to strengthen military readiness and reinforce a “warrior ethos.”
The address was delivered to hundreds of generals, admirals, and senior enlisted personnel in a rare in-person summit marked by tight security across the 55,000-acre facility. U.S. President Donald Trump also spoke at the event, praising the military and calling for a revitalized “warrior spirit.”
Hegseth’s speech outlined planned changes across the Pentagon, including a cultural shift away from diversity, equity, and inclusion programmes, which he described as distractions, and reforms targeting a “risk-averse” officer corps.
He also announced the end of exemptions for unprofessional appearances, such as beards, and vowed to eliminate anonymous complaint procedures. Hegseth defended prior firings of senior commanders, asserting they were necessary to remove leaders resistant to policy changes.
Trump followed with a wide-ranging address highlighting U.S. military achievements and his own presidential record, including settling seven conflicts and proposing solutions for the Gaza situation. He described the gathering as an opportunity to build morale among top officers.
The summit drew officers from bases worldwide, including Europe, South Korea, and the Middle East, many of whom arrived hours in advance. Attendees were seated by service branch, with uniforms displaying campaign medals from deployments in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other operations.
Reactions from military leaders were largely restrained, with observers noting the rarity of convening such a large group in person. NATO Military Committee Chair Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone called the assembly unprecedented in his 49 years of service.
Some experts questioned the necessity of an in-person meeting, citing the extensive travel required. Mark Cancian of the Center for Strategic and International Studies described the decision as “mystifying,” suggesting the objectives could have been achieved virtually.
Trump and Hegseth framed the summit as a message of unity and discipline, stressing that renewed focus on physical readiness, leadership, and accountability are central to strengthening the U.S. military.