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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed top military officers to prioritize troop fitness and appearance, stating that "fat troops are tiring to look at." He emphasized the need for high, gender-neutral physical standards for combat roles and announced reviews of definitions for "toxic leadership," "bullying," and "hazing." Hegseth also called for an end to unprofessional grooming and stated a commitment to removing "woke garbage" and "distractions" from the department, aiming to restore a focus on "warrior ethos."

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.