Pete Hegseth said it’s a “bad look” to have “fat generals and admirals” walking around the Pentagon, and announced sweeping changes to the armed services

Pete Hegseth — who leads the recently rebranded Department of War (still formally known as the Department of Defense) — railed against “fat generals and admirals,” saying it’s a “bad look” as he imposed new military fitness requirements.

“It all starts with physical fitness and appearance,” Hegseth said, addressing a gathering of top military officials in Quantico, Va., on Sept. 30. He announced height and weight requirements for all members of the armed forces. “Frankly, it’s tiring to look out at combat formations or really any formation and see fat troops,” he said.

Referring to himself, he said, “If the Secretary of War can do regular hard PT [physical training], so can every member of our joint force.”

Pete Hegseth addresses senior military officials in Quantico, Va., on Sept. 30, 2025. Andrew Harnik/Getty

Hegseth, 45, continued: “It’s completely unacceptable to see fat generals and admirals in the halls of the Pentagon and leading commands around the country and the world. It’s a bad look. It is bad, and it’s not who we are.”

He said no one is exempt from the new requirements. “Whether you’re an airborne ranger or a chairborne ranger, a brand-new private or a four-star general, you need to meet the height and weight standards and pass your PT test,” Hegseth told the group.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth sounded off on “fat” military personnel as he announced new fitness requirements. Andrew Harnik/Getty

“Today, at my direction, every member of the Joint Force, at every rank, is required to take a PT test twice a year as well as meet height and weight requirements twice a year [during] every year of service. Also today at my direction, every warrior across our joint force is required to do PT every duty day. Should be common. Most units do that already.”

Elsewhere in the announcement, Hegseth said, “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, or troops who are not fully proficient on their assigned weapons platform or task.”

Stock image of a decorated service member. Getty

Hegseth also announced a return to the “highest male standard only” for combat roles.

“This is not about preventing women from serving,” he added. “We are — we, we very much value the impact of female troops … but when it comes to any job that requires physical power to perform in combat, those physical standards must be high and gender neutral.”

“If women can make it, excellent. If not, it is what it is. If that means no women qualify for combat jobs, so be it,” he said, adding that the new guidelines will weed out “weak men, because you’re not playing games.”

He also announced an end to “dudes in dresses” and “climate change worship.”

“No more debris,” he said. “We are done with that s—.”