Hegseth: 'Era of Politically Correct' Military Is Over

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed a rare assembly of the top US generals and admirals on Tuesday, though his speech didn't reveal any major surprises. Hegseth reiterated points he has previously made: He wants a less "woke" fighting force and a warrior mentality. Highlights from his speech in Quantico, Virginia, via NBC, the AP, the New York Times, and the Washington Post:

• Ethos: "The era of politically correct, overly sensitive don't-hurt-anyone's-feelings leadership ends right now at every level," he said. Specifically, "no more climate change worship, no more division, distraction, or gender delusions."
• Watchdog: He said the Pentagon's internal watchdog has been politicized and will be overhauled to discourage anonymous and "frivolous" complaints. It's the "no more walking on eggshells" policy, he said of the inspector general's office. "Of course, being a racist has been illegal in our formations since 1948. The same goes for sexual harassment. Both are wrong and illegal."
• Non-toxic: He also promised to push back harder against complaints of "toxic" leadership within the military. "We're undertaking a full review of the department's definitions of so-called toxic leadership, bullying and hazing, to empower leaders to enforce standards without fear of retribution or second-guessing."

• Fitness: "Frankly, it's tiring to look out at combat formations, or really any formation, and see fat troops," he said. "Likewise, it's completely unacceptable to see fat generals and admirals in the halls of the Pentagon. ... 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." He said all members of the military, at every rank, will now have to pass a fitness test twice a year.
• Women: He said a new combat field test would require troops to meet the highest male standard, with no separate standard for women. "I don't want my son serving alongside troops who are out of shape, or in combat units with females who can't meet the same combat arms physical standards as men," he said. "This job is life and death. Standards must be met."
• Facial hair: "No more beards, long hair, superficial individual expression," Hegseth said. "We don't have a military full of Nordic pagans."