Pete Hegseth advocates for stricter physical standards in the military, accepts exclusion of women if necessary

In a recent discussion on "The Katie Miller Podcast," War Secretary Pete Hegseth outlined his plans to implement stricter physical requirements for U.S. military members. Hegseth emphasized that these standards are designed to ensure maximum combat readiness, even if some personnel, including women, cannot meet them.

In late September, Hegseth announced that all combat troops must achieve the highest male physical benchmarks to remain in their positions, stating that the military must "restore a ruthless, dispassionate, and commonsense application of standards." When asked by host Katie Miller about whether combat readiness implies that only men should serve in combat roles, Hegseth elaborated on his stance regarding military preparedness.

Maintaining Universal Standards

"My position is that standards must be universally high at the male standard level. If this unintentionally excludes women, that is a consequence, and thats acceptable," Hegseth said. He clarified that the intention is not to remove anyone from service, but to follow what he calls the "Department of War golden rule," which he introduced at a September speech to senior military leaders at Quantico. The speech was later mandated viewing for all U.S. troops.

"I urged commanders to consider the golden rule in all decisions: treat your unit as you would want your own son or daughter treated. If they were deploying, would you prioritize diversity or gender equality over capability? No," Hegseth explained.

Implementation and Reactions

Hegseth reinforced that all combat personnel must meet the "highest male standard" to ensure only the most capable are in operational roles. Jennifer Hegseth noted that many female troops have expressed appreciation for the heightened requirements, recognizing the value of rigorous standards. "Women serving across the country have approached him, thanking him for maintaining meaningful benchmarks that reflect true capability," she said.

When asked about male troops who are currently underprepared physically, Hegseth stated, "They should fail if they cannot meet the standard." However, he added that there will be a grace period of three to six months for individuals to improve their fitness levels before the requirements become strictly enforced.

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Author: Sophia Brooks