Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth wants only fit, well-groomed troops in the audience for an upcoming address in Quantico, Virginia, later this month, according to a new report. The selection criteria reflect Hegseth’s broader focus on physical fitness and the military’s public image.
According to internal emails reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, troops in attendance for Hegseth’s speech must meet the military’s weight requirements and maintain “impeccable” grooming standards.
The Office of the Secretary of Defense declined to comment on or provide a copy of the emailed memo to Business Insider.
It’s common for military units to avoid showcasing sloppy-looking service members during high-profile public events. Ceremonial units are well known for selecting fit troops who are meticulously groomed and dressed. Selecting an entire audience on these requirements, as well as subjective leadership traits, is less so.
Only those who are “consistently rated as top performers within their formations,” have a “clear record of integrity, discipline and selfless service,” “demonstrate strong presence, clear communication and sound judgment under pressure,” and “serve as role models for their peers and subordinates” may be sent by units to attend the speech, according to the Journal.
The Pentagon issued similar guidance this spring on the selection of fit troops to attend a mixed martial arts event on the White House lawn as part of America’s 250th birthday celebration.
The address, scheduled for September 30, comes one year after Hegseth ordered 800 generals and admirals to the same base for a speech about renewing the “warrior ethos” within the ranks.
“No more beardos,” he said at Marine Corps Base Quantico last year. “The era of rampant and ridiculous shaving profiles is done.” He also said it was “tiring to look out at combat formations, or really any formation, and see fat troops,” adding that he did not want to see “fat generals in the Pentagon and leading commands.”
Past defense secretaries haven’t traditionally ordered such large groups of military personnel to attend similar standalone events to present priorities.
At the event last year, Hegseth told military leaders that he would “restore a ruthless, dispassionate and common sense application of standards” and would not tolerate overweight troops or beards. He also ordered mandatory daily physical training and twice-yearly fitness tests.
“You get up early, you get up and you work out because we’re going to be fit and we’re not going to be fat,” Hegseth said at a May 2025 conference. During travel, the secretary routinely seeks out opportunities to do physical training with troops.
Certain parts of the military have long struggled with obesity and other fitness challenges within their ranks. In 2020, nearly 20% of active-duty troops were considered obese. Previous studies have cited similar readiness concerns within the National Guard and reserve forces.
During the same address last year, Hegseth challenged the flag officers in the room while criticizing the previous presidential administration and what he characterized as a “woke” degradation of the armed forces.
“If the words I’m speaking today are making your heart sink,” Hegseth said, “then you should do the honorable thing and resign.”
