Secretary of War Pete Hegseth made it clear that service members "should do the honorable thing and resign" if they object to the changes to military standards announced this week, Fox News reported. Hegseth's plan is to emphasize war readiness while eliminating the "woke" priorities that typically dominate America's fighting force and undermine combat readiness.
Hegseth called a meeting of his top generals to Quantico Marine Corps Base in Virginia on Tuesday to announce the new standards. The Army National Guard veteran stated that the Department of Defense and everything associated with that title is "dead." At the same time, the War Department will focus on "preparing for war and preparing to win," Hegseth said.
"If the words I’m speaking today are making your heart sink, then you should do the honorable thing and resign. We would thank you for your service. But I suspect the overwhelming majority of you feel the opposite. These words make your hearts full," Hegseth said.
The left has used the military as a proving ground for its most insane and damaging initiatives, but Hegseth said those days are over under his watch. He has already fired several high-ranking officers before summoning all of his top leaders to this meeting to lay out his new plans.
In his address to all generals and flag officers ranked one star and above, Hegseth said he was reversing the "decay" caused by an emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion that has weakened forces through lowered standards. "We became the woke department. But not anymore," Hegseth said during his 45-minute address.
"No more identity months, DEI offices, dudes in dresses, no more climate change worship. No more division, distraction or gender delusions. No more debris. We are done with that," the Secretary of War said.
Hegseth also stated that the standards that have fallen by the wayside in recent years, for everything from physical fitness to grooming, will be restored. The secretary noted that a "male level" of physical fitness would be required for any combat positions, and he was willing to accept that it might result in fewer women being assigned to those roles.
"If women can make it, excellent. If not, it is what it is," Hegseth said. "Weak men won’t qualify either. We’re not playing games," Hegseth said.
The secretary wants a new "warrior ethos" in all branches of the military, which means reverting to 2015 standards for combat readiness. Now, Hegseth will require twice-yearly fitness tests that will be gender-neutral, meaning no breaks for women, regardless of rank, all the way up to four-star generals. These 10 directives also mean fewer seminars and more hands-on training for the troops, and stricter grooming standards, such as prohibiting long hair and beards, will also be enforced again.
Hegseth also promised that basic training will once again be "scary, tough, and disciplined" to whip new recruits into top physical shape. "Standards must be uniform, gender-neutral, and high. If not, they’re just suggestions. And suggestions get our sons and daughters killed," Hegseth noted while also denigrating those who call these practices "bullying" and "hazing" rather than war readiness.
The secretary also decried the charges of "toxic leadership" for such toughness. "Real toxic leadership is promoting people based on immutable characteristics or quotas instead of merit. If that makes me toxic, then so be it," Hegseth said. The secretary promised to trim the bureaucracy and make the armed forces leaner and more effective to demonstrate "peace through strength" in the world.
To our enemies, FAFO. If necessary, our troops can translate that for you perfectly," Hegseth said. "Today is another Liberation Day, the liberation of America’s warriors in name, indeed, and in authorities. You kill people and break things for a living. You are not politically correct and don’t necessarily belong always in polite society. You are warriors," Hegseth concluded before closing with a prayer.
This is precisely what America's military needs to once again assert its strength, both for the sake of our allies and our enemies. Leftists have done so much damage with their woke agenda everywhere, but it has been particularly problematic in the armed forces, and now Hegseth is going to fix it.
