Overview
On Monday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed his backing for substituting a select few Texas National Guard troops stationed in Illinois, citing issues with fitness standards. This comment arose after an image of the troops caused a stir on social media, especially after Hegseth had previously criticized the physical condition of some soldiers in a speech to military leaders last month.
Highlights
- In a tweet, Hegseth emphasized that “Standards are back at The @DeptofWar” and shared a Task & Purpose report, which noted that a small number of the 200 Texas Guard members sent to Illinois were replaced due to failing certain criteria.
- The National Guard Bureau explained that it is mandatory for Guardsmen and Airmen to meet specific height, weight, and fitness benchmarks at all times, according to Task & Purpose.
- Although the National Guard didn’t provide context behind their statement, social media jokes targeted certain Texas National Guard members regarding their weight. It’s unclear if those mocked were part of the replacements.
- According to the bureau, troops not meeting these physical standards “will be returned to their home station, and qualified replacements will take their positions.”
- Forbes reached out to the Pentagon for further clarification.
Stay Updated with Forbes Text Alerts: We’re launching message alerts so you’ll stay informed with the latest news. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here.
What Has Hegseth Said About Military Fitness Standards?
Last month, in remarks to U.S. generals, Hegseth stated, “It’s draining to observe overweight troops during formations. It’s completely unacceptable, especially to see out-of-shape generals and admirals commanding troops across the nation and the globe. It’s not a good image and not what we represent.”
Related Developments
Previously, President Donald Trump faced two weeks of delays for deploying National Guard troops to Illinois after District Court Judge April Perry concluded that such actions might trigger “civil unrest” and exacerbate conflicts. The Trump administration has encountered several legal challenges during initiatives to deploy guards to cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland. Conversely, they successfully managed to send troops to Washington, D.C., where legal barriers were less restrictive, as part of a wider initiative to address rising crime rates in the area, which, according to federal data, was already at a historic low of violence.
Key Context
Under his new regulation, Hegseth has mandated biannual physical assessments for all joint force members, covering active personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. There will be strict adherence to height and weight standards, which must be maintained every six months. Additionally, Hegseth has insisted on updated grooming standards, disallowing beards and long hair, reinforcing the perspective that individual expressions are not suitable for military involvement. He has pointed out that leaders need to stop ignoring these standards and start enforcing them properly.
