Defense Secretary Orders Review of Military Fitness Standards

In a memorandum, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says that maintaining standards will enable the military to protect the United States.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in Arlington, Va., on March 6, 2025. Win McNamee/Getty Images

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on March 12 ordered a review of the U.S. military’s fitness standards and grooming requirements.

In a memorandum, Hegseth directed officials to compile the existing standards for military departments on physical fitness, body composition, and grooming for evaluation.