Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has initiated a comprehensive review of the standards maintained by U.S. military branches. This examination will focus on physical fitness, body composition, and grooming standards, including regulations concerning beards.
Hegseth emphasized the importance of maintaining rigorous standards to ensure the effectiveness of the military. "We must remain vigilant in maintaining the standards that enable the men and women of our military to protect the American people and our homeland as the world's most lethal and effective fighting force," he stated.
He further noted that despite ongoing challenges, it is crucial to evaluate how these standards have been upheld over time. "Our adversaries are not growing weaker, and our tasks are not growing less challenging. This review will illuminate how the Department has maintained the level of standards required over the recent past and the trajectory of any change in those standards," Hegseth added.
The memo detailing this directive was distributed today.
