Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told America’s top generals to “prepare for war” during a rare meeting of senior military leadership. He declared that the newly renamed Department of War will focus solely on “warfighting” and readiness to win.
Hegseth, a close ally of President Donald Trump, criticized what he called a culture of complacency in the armed forces. He vowed to eliminate “fat generals and admirals” and make physical fitness central to restoring the military’s “warrior ethos.”
New rules will require all service members to meet height and weight standards twice yearly, with combat troops meeting the highest male benchmark on physical tests.
🚨 BREAKING: SecWar Pete Hegseth NUKES fat generals and announces a new twice-yearly PT test for top brass.
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) September 30, 2025
"It's unacceptable to see fat generals and admirals in the halls of the Pentagon, and leading all around the world. It's a BAD LOOK, and it's not who we are!"
"You need… pic.twitter.com/xcX0PXDj0J
In his remarks, Hegseth also rejected “woke” policies within the military, denouncing diversity initiatives, gender identity programs, and climate change agendas. President Trump backed Hegseth’s stance, warning he would fire senior leaders who fail to meet his expectations.
.@SecWar: "If women can make it, excellent. If not, it is what it is... It will also mean that weak men won't qualify — because we're not playing games. This is combat. This is life or death." https://t.co/mxkLUwvnDg pic.twitter.com/sUm0DmvfvC
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) September 30, 2025
