According to one memo with the subject line \u201cMilitary Fitness Standards\u201d released Tuesday, active-duty troops are now required to take two annual fitness tests, in addition to working out every duty day. <\/p>\n
The first test requirement is the existing service fitness test. The second will be either a combat field test for combat arms personnel, or a combat readiness test or second service fitness test for non-combat arms forces.<\/p>\n
Members of the Reserve or National Guard must compete one annual fitness test based on their combat or non-combat designation.<\/p>\n
Height and waist circumference will continue to be used as a fitness standard. The memo states \u201chigh performers on fitness tests may be granted exemptions, but only within defined limits.\u201d<\/p>\n
The new guidance is expected to be released within the next 60 days and take effect starting in January. <\/p>\n
\u201cHigh performance does not excuse non-compliance with body composition standards,\u201d the memo reads.<\/p>\n
Back to the 1990s<\/p>\n
Hegseth is also ordering a 60-day review of the military\u2019s education system curricula and training-school standards to identify any changes to the standards since 1990. <\/p>\n
Leaders are then expected to make recommendations on whether standards should be restored to those of 1990, or kept the same. It remained unclear Friday why that particular year \u2014 before most of those serving in uniform were even born \u2014 was chosen.<\/p>\n
\u201c1990 seems to be as good as a place to start as any,\u201d Hegseth said during his Tuesday speech to military brass.<\/p>\n
Hegseth also ordered a reduction in mandatory training requirements that service members must complete each year. The Pentagon will relax the frequency for cybersecurity training, eliminate some training requirements through automation and remove Privacy Act training. <\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/VPXXCDM5RBCANM4N53YFJ6DEPY.jpg\")
U.S. Air Force and Qatari Armed Forces service members collaborate during a cybersecurity training at Exercise Eagle Resolve 2025 on Jan. 13, 2025. (Senior Airman Sir Wyrick\/Air Force)<\/p>\n
Hegseth wrote that the Pentagon will also relax the frequency of training on Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). In a memo, the secretary asked to consolidate training topics as appropriate and championed \u201ctest-out\u201d options for refresher training.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese critical efforts to eliminate, reduce, and consolidate focus topics advances my emphasis on warfighting,\u201d Hegseth wrote.<\/p>\n
Changes to Equal Opportunity, hazing<\/p>\n
Complaints submitted under Military Equal Opportunity and civilian Equal Employment Opportunity, programs that aim to prevent discrimination, will be addressed within 30 days and dismissed if they \u201clack actionable, credible evidence,\u201d according to new guidance. <\/p>\n
The option to report anonymously to those offices is being replaced with a \u201cconfidential complaint reporting option.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThose who knowingly submit false complaints or repeatedly submits frivolous complaints are held accountable, pursuant to applicable laws and regulations,\u201d the memo adds.<\/p>\n
In another memo released Tuesday, Hegseth said the definition of \u201chazing, bullying and harassment is overly broad\u201d in department policy. <\/p>\n
The two-paragraph memo orders a 30-day review of the definitions of hazing, bullying and harassment because \u201cundue administrative burdens\u201d on commanders \u201cdistract\u201d from their core mission of maintaining a ready and lethal force, according to Hegseth.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis review aims to strike a balance,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n
Overhauling a military watchdog<\/p>\n
Another memo issued Tuesday addresses reforms to the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, which investigates cases of fraud, waste and abuse inside the agency, as well as misconduct, command issues and violations of law. <\/p>\n
The memo calls for the office to complete a \u201ccredibility assessment\u201d of every complaint within seven days of receiving them.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt that point, the complaint must either be closed or the investigation initiated,\u201d Hegseth wrote.<\/p>\n
Hegseth instructed \u201cartificial intelligence with human oversight\u201d to help speed up the process.<\/p>\n
The investigating agency will need to provide a written update about each investigation every two weeks to the subject of the complaint, his or her commander and the complainant. <\/p>\n
The IG must also establish and enforce procedures to \u201cidentify and manage complainants who submit multiple complaints without credible evidence, that are frivolous, or that knowingly include false information,\u201d according to the memo.<\/p>\n
Hegseth told military leaders Tuesday<\/a> the IG process had been \u201cweaponized, putting complainers, ideologues and poor performers in the driver\u2019s seat.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/RH4PDM3L6JBBNLJEHC5HVGJ2JY.jpg\")
First Lt. Jean Paul Stassi Jr., battalion IT support officer, shaves in the field before starting training at Camp Shelby on July 24, 2024. (Staff Sgt. Jaccob Hearn\/Army)<\/p>\n