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Hegseth imposes strict 'waist-to-height' metrics for troops attending September speech

rawstory.com · 2h · first reportShare

The Pentagon is instructing military commanders to hand-select troops to attend Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's upcoming "State of the Force" address based on strict physical fitness and grooming standards, according to internal emails obtained by the Wall Street Journal. According to the Wall Street Journal, commanders were told candidates for the September 30 event must pass the Army's "waist-to-height" ratio test and physical fitness exam, along with maintaining what one email called "impeccable grooming and uniform standards (no exception)." Selected troops will also get the chance to work out alongside Hegseth himself. Similar directives reportedly went out across other military branches beyond the Army. Beyond physical criteria, the Pentagon wants attendees who rank among the top performers in their units, demonstrate integrity and discipline, communicate clearly under pressure, and serve as role models for fellow service members. A Pentagon official declined to comment on the s