U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth gathered hundreds of U.S. military officials for an in-person meeting on Tuesday to introduce new directives for troops, including implementing “gender-neutral” or “male-level” standards for physical fitness and eliminating what he referred to as “woke” culture within the military. Hegseth criticized the promotion of leaders based on race, gender quotas, and “historic firsts,” stating that the focus should be on effective leadership rather than politically correct considerations.
During the meeting, Hegseth announced a shift towards a more direct and less sensitive leadership approach, urging military leaders to resign if they disagree with his new policies. The gathering, which took place at a base in Virginia, was called suddenly by Hegseth and U.S. President Donald Trump, with the focus on addressing what they perceive as misguided military priorities influenced by political correctness.
Hegseth emphasized the importance of physical fitness standards, environmental policies, and transgender troop regulations, highlighting his and Trump’s commitment to emphasizing the “warrior ethos” and the concept of “peace through strength.” He also proposed changes to the handling of adverse information in personnel records to prevent minor infractions from negatively impacting careers indefinitely, emphasizing the importance of learning from mistakes rather than being defined by them.
The meeting at the Marine Corps base in Quantico generated significant speculation due to its scale, urgency, and secrecy, with military experts noting the unusual nature of the gathering. As the country faced a potential government shutdown, Hegseth’s focus on military effectiveness and his recent decisions to reduce the number of general officers and dismiss senior military leaders added to the intrigue surrounding the meeting.
The news of the impromptu meeting raised questions about its purpose, with Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirming its occurrence but withholding further details. President Trump, initially unaware of the meeting, downplayed its significance when questioned by reporters, indicating his willingness to participate but questioning why it was considered a major event. White House officials later confirmed Trump’s attendance at the meeting, where he and Hegseth planned to discuss military achievements and positive developments.
Amidst media scrutiny and public interest, Vice-President JD Vance dismissed the meeting as routine, emphasizing that it was not unusual for military leaders under Hegseth’s command to gather for discussions. The meeting provided a platform for Hegseth to address critical military issues and outline his vision for a more effective and focused military strategy.
