President Trump, Hegseth push military shakeup — tougher combat rules, fewer safeguards
President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth unveil new military standards, focusing on fitness and scrapping diversity rules, sparking debate over potential impacts.
President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have announced significant changes to U.S. military standards, aiming to end “politically correct” leadership by imposing tougher, gender-neutral combat standards and eliminating diversity rules.”We’re bringing back a focus on fitness ability, character, and strength,” Trump said. “And that’s because the purpose of America’s military is not to protect anyone’s feelings. It’s to protect our Republic.”In a highly unusual move, hundreds of generals and admirals were abruptly summoned to Virginia, where Hegseth vowed to scrap diversity rules and set “male-standard” combat requirements. “I don’t want my son serving alongside troops who are out of shape or in combat unit with females who can’t meet the same combat arms, physical standards as men,” Hegseth said.Beyond tougher fitness rules, Hegseth is reviewing how the Pentagon defines toxic leadership, bullying, and hazing. “People make honest mistakes. And our mistakes should not define an entire career. Otherwise, we only try not to make mistakes and that’s not the business we’re in,” Hegseth said.Critics warn that easing these guardrails could reverse protections put in place after scandals and suicides. Terri Caserta of the Caserta Foundation expressed concern, saying, “In my opinion, I don’t think that should happen, because that is what is killing our service members.” Terri and Patrick Caserta, who lost their son Brandon to suicide due to bullying, hazing, and harassment in the Navy, have since started a foundation in his name and report receiving thousands of calls from people with similar stories. “(It) certainly is not the time to rain back when you’re losing two or three a day,” Patrick Caserta said.Former Marine Colonel Mark Cancian from CSIS commented on the potential outcomes of these changes, saying, “So we’ll see how it’s implemented. It could be very sensible, but it also could be abusive.”The White House maintains that the changes are about military readiness, while critics argue they risk reopening old wounds. During his speech, Trump also suggested that dangerous U.S. cities could be used as training grounds for combat troops. However, details on the new fitness test remain unclear, with experts waiting to see specifics before fully evaluating the changes. Hegseth emphasized that there will be no more “fat troops or generals,” stating it’s a bad look for America.More coverage from the Washington News Bureau:
President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have announced significant changes to U.S. military standards, aiming to end “politically correct” leadership by imposing tougher, gender-neutral combat standards and eliminating diversity rules.
“We’re bringing back a focus on fitness ability, character, and strength,” Trump said. “And that’s because the purpose of America’s military is not to protect anyone’s feelings. It’s to protect our Republic.”
In a highly unusual move, hundreds of generals and admirals were abruptly summoned to Virginia, where Hegseth vowed to scrap diversity rules and set “male-standard” combat requirements. “I don’t want my son serving alongside troops who are out of shape or in combat unit with females who can’t meet the same combat arms, physical standards as men,” Hegseth said.
Beyond tougher fitness rules, Hegseth is reviewing how the Pentagon defines toxic leadership, bullying, and hazing.
“People make honest mistakes. And our mistakes should not define an entire career. Otherwise, we only try not to make mistakes and that’s not the business we’re in,” Hegseth said.
Critics warn that easing these guardrails could reverse protections put in place after scandals and suicides. Terri Caserta of the Caserta Foundation expressed concern, saying, “In my opinion, I don’t think that should happen, because that is what is killing our service members.”
Terri and Patrick Caserta, who lost their son Brandon to suicide due to bullying, hazing, and harassment in the Navy, have since started a foundation in his name and report receiving thousands of calls from people with similar stories.
“(It) certainly is not the time to rain back when you’re losing two or three a day,” Patrick Caserta said.
Former Marine Colonel Mark Cancian from CSIS commented on the potential outcomes of these changes, saying, “So we’ll see how it’s implemented. It could be very sensible, but it also could be abusive.”
The White House maintains that the changes are about military readiness, while critics argue they risk reopening old wounds.
During his speech, Trump also suggested that dangerous U.S. cities could be used as training grounds for combat troops. However, details on the new fitness test remain unclear, with experts waiting to see specifics before fully evaluating the changes. Hegseth emphasized that there will be no more “fat troops or generals,” stating it’s a bad look for America.
More coverage from the Washington News Bureau: