Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made headlines on September 30, 2025, with an unprecedented gathering of nearly 800 senior military leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. The historic meeting, attended by President Trump, marked a significant shift in Pentagon policy and military culture under the newly renamed "Department of War."
Breaking: Secretary of War Announces End to "Woke" Military Culture
In a sweeping 45-minute address to assembled generals and admirals, Hegseth declared: "Good morning, and welcome to the War Department, because the era of the Department of Defense is over." This statement signaled the Trump administration's formal embrace of the military's pre-World War II designation as the Department of War, emphasizing combat readiness over defensive postures.
Key Policy Changes Announced at Quantico
New Physical Fitness Standards:
All service members must meet "highest male standard" physical requirements
Daily PT (physical training) now mandatory for all ranks
Biannual fitness tests and body fat evaluations
Women in combat roles must meet identical male standards
Annual "combat field test" required for combat arms positions
Grooming Standards Revolution:
Complete elimination of beard exemptions - "No more beardos," Hegseth declared
End to permanent medical shaving waivers within 90 days
Termination of religious beard exemptions (affecting Sikh, Norse Pagan, and Muslim troops)
Return to pre-2010 grooming standards
Exception only for special operations when mission-essential
Pete Hegseth's Military Service Background
Understanding Hegseth's authority to implement these changes requires examining his military credentials:
Combat Experience:
Commissioned as infantry officer through Princeton University ROTC in 2003
Served 11 months at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base
Deployed to Iraq (2005-2006) with 3rd
