Defense Secretary Trying To Balance Readiness and Inclusivity In The Military

Scales of justice and American flag background.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declares war on military obesity as shocking report reveals 68% of National Guard and Reserve troops are overweight, threatening America’s combat readiness.

Key Takeaways

68% of National Guard and Reserve troops are overweight according to a new American Security Project study, with Army National Guard having the highest obesity rate at 21%.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has initiated a comprehensive review of physical fitness standards, calling the current situation “completely unacceptable.”
Overweight service members face increased health risks including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, directly impacting military readiness.
The obesity crisis affects both active-duty and reserve components, but requires different approaches due to reservists’ part-time status and limited access to military facilities.
Hegseth is reversing what he views as a relaxation of military standards, insisting troops must be “fit, not fat.”

A Military Readiness Crisis

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is confronting what he considers a critical threat to America’s military preparedness – an obesity epidemic in the National Guard and Reserves. According to a recent report from the American Security Project, approximately 68% of reserve component troops are overweight, with the Army National Guard showing the highest obesity rate at 21%. These alarming statistics have prompted Hegseth to order a comprehensive review of physical fitness and grooming standards, declaring the current situation “completely unacceptable” and vowing immediate action to reverse the trend.

The military obesity crisis extends beyond mere appearances. Overweight service members face significantly higher risks of serious health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and musculoskeletal injuries. These health issues directly impact operational readiness, limiting deployment capabilities and increasing medical costs. The problem has worsened in recent years, with Hegseth attributing the decline to what he characterizes as a relaxation of traditional military standards under previous leadership.

Return to Stricter Standards

Hegseth’s approach represents a sharp departure from recent Pentagon policies. His review will examine changes in military standards since 2015, with particular attention to fitness requirements. The Defense Secretary has been outspoken about his commitment to reversing what he views as a concerning trend toward relaxed military discipline, drawing a stark contrast between past and present approaches to military fitness and appearance.

“Troops need to be fit, not fat,” stated Pete Hegseth. “This is what happens when standards are IGNORED—and this is what we are changing. REAL fitness & weight standards are here. We will be FIT, not FAT.”

In his book “The War on Warriors,” Hegseth criticized the gradual erosion of military standards, noting, “When I was in the Army, we kicked out good soldiers for having naked women tattooed on their arms, and today we are relaxing the standards on shaving, dreadlocks, man buns, and straight-up obesity.” His reforms aim to reinstate a culture of military pride and discipline that he believes has diminished recently.

Unique Challenges for Reserve Components

Addressing obesity in the National Guard and Reserves presents distinct challenges compared to active-duty forces. Reserve personnel serve part-time, often live far from military bases, and have limited access to military healthcare and fitness facilities. The American Security Project report emphasizes that traditional approaches to military fitness may not be effective for these components, requiring targeted solutions that account for their unique circumstances.

Researchers with the American Security Project noted that, “With the diminished size of the [active-duty] force and increasing demands on the National Guard and reserves, service members separated due to obesity and its comorbidities are vital personnel the Armed Forces cannot afford to lose.”

Researchers also recommended several approaches to combat the obesity crisis in reserve components, including improved tracking of obesity rates, enhanced access to healthcare for reserve troops, and investments in electronic health records to better monitor weight-related issues. The Army and Navy have already implemented pre-boot camp training programs for recruits who don’t meet physical standards, but more comprehensive solutions are needed for established personnel.

A Return to Military Excellence

For many veterans and military observers, Hegseth’s reforms represent a necessary return to traditional military values. The emphasis on physical fitness and appearance has historically been central to military identity and effectiveness. As one veteran, Ward Clark, noted in support of Hegseth’s initiatives, soldiers once “took pride in looking sharp, in looking soldierly” and were “honed like razors.” This culture of excellence, proponents argue, is essential to maintaining America’s military edge in an increasingly dangerous world.

The controversy surrounding Hegseth’s military reforms highlights broader tensions about the future direction of America’s armed forces. While critics worry about potential impacts on recruitment and retention in an already challenging environment, supporters maintain that combat readiness must remain the military’s primary focus. As the review of standards proceeds, the Pentagon faces the difficult task of balancing operational effectiveness with the realities of modern military service in both active and reserve components.