U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth wants physically fit, high-performing and "impeccably" groomed servicemembers in the audience for his Sept. 30 "State of the Force" address at the Pentagon, extending his campaign to make fitness and military appearance central measures of readiness throughout the ranks.
Military commanders have been asked to nominate lower-ranking officers and enlisted personnel who meet specific physical, professional and leadership standards, according to emails reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. Those selected could also get the opportunity to work out with Hegseth during the event.
An email sent to Army commanders said nominees must pass the Army fitness test and meet its waist-to-height body-composition requirement. They must also maintain "impeccable grooming and uniform standards (no exception)," according to the Journal.
The criteria extend well beyond physical appearance. The Pentagon is seeking servicemembers who are "consistently rated as top performers within their formations" and have a "clear record of integrity, discipline and selfless service."
Nominees should also "demonstrate strong presence, clear communication and sound judgment under pressure" while serving as role models for other troops. Officials said selections would be based on "demonstrated leadership quality and professional character."
A Pentagon official declined to comment to the Journal about the selection process.
The fitness requirement comes shortly after the Army overhauled how it measures body composition. In July, the service replaced its longstanding height-and-weight tables and circumference-based tape test with a waist-to-height ratio, or WHtR, as its official assessment method.
Under the new standard, a soldier's waist circumference at the navel is divided by height, with a ratio below 0.55 required to pass. Soldiers undergo the assessment twice each calendar year, and those initially measuring 0.55 or higher receive a confirmation test; a confirmed failure results in enrollment in the Army Body Composition Program.
The Army is evaluating the new system during an initial 180-day period to determine whether adjustments are needed. The service has said the change is intended to reduce subjectivity, align its standards with medical practices and improve force health and readiness.
Hegseth's Sept. 30 gathering comes exactly a year after his high-profile address to hundreds of generals, admirals and senior enlisted leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va. That speech laid out his effort to make what he calls a "warrior ethos" the organizing principle for military personnel policy.
"From this moment forward, the only mission of the newly restored Department of War is this: warfighting, preparing for war and preparing to win," Hegseth said at the Sept. 30, 2025, gathering.
Physical standards were a major part of the address. Hegseth announced tougher fitness requirements, including vigorous exercise every duty day for active-component servicemembers and two physical-fitness tests annually.
He also devoted significant attention to appearance. "This also means grooming standards. No more beards, long hair, superficial individual expression. We're going to cut our hair, shave our beards, and adhere to standards," Hegseth said.
"No more beardos," he added. "The era of rampant and ridiculous shaving profiles is done."
The 2025 Quantico gathering concentrated that message among the military's senior leadership. This year's Pentagon event is designed to broaden participation to officers and enlisted servicemembers farther down the chain of command, while using nomination criteria that reflect the standards Hegseth has spent the past year promoting.
