‘Our troops will be fit—not fat’: Pete Hegseth orders review of fitness, grooming standards in US military

On Wednesday morning, Trump administration Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered a review of fitness as well as grooming standards in 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,” Hegseth said in a memo.

“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," he added.

Our troops will be fit — not fat.

Our troops will look sharp — not sloppy.

We seek only quality — not quotas.

BOTTOM LINE: our @DeptofDefense will make standards HIGH & GREAT again — across the entire force. https://t.co/hB1LOh9n4W

— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) March 13, 2025