Hegseth unveils sweeping fitness and grooming rules at Quantico

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Donald Trump on Tuesday addressed an unusually large, hastily called gathering of senior U.S. military leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, where Hegseth announced sweeping directives on fitness, grooming and personnel policies and Trump pressed a domestic-focused view of military missions. Roughly 800 generals and admirals were summoned from posts around the world to attend the event.

Hegseth told the assembled officers that the military must sharpen its combat readiness and adopt tougher uniform standards. He directed that physical fitness benchmarks for combat roles be set to the highest male standard, ordered twice-yearly physical tests and height and weight checks for all service members, and said units should conduct physical training on duty days. He said each service would institute a combat arms field test and tighten grooming rules, including restrictions on beards and long hair. Hegseth also said the Defense Department will review how it defines and handles toxic leadership, bullying and hazing and overhaul inspector general and equal opportunity complaint processes that he said have been misused.