Concerns About Military Fitness Standards

On Tuesday, Pete Hegseth, the director of War’s FIT program, made a straightforward observation: “That’s a bad look.” And, well, it certainly is—almost every member of our armed forces could see that for themselves.

When I signed up for the Navy back in 1999, the Pentagon had a single elevator, meant specifically for the Secretary of Defense. Fast forward to today, and you’ll find elevators in every corridor of the place. And it seems like these days, there are many mobility scooters parked outside. It reminded me of a scene from a Disney movie, honestly, where the environment doesn’t quite jive with what you’d expect.

If you ask sailors and soldiers about senior officers attempting their physical fitness tests, you might hear some pretty amusing, or maybe not-so-amusing, stories—think push-ups that hardly count and runs that seem more like strolls. After all, who would really tell a four-star general that they don’t look their best in uniform or, due to some creative counting, their push-ups didn’t really add up?

But, that’s what the Secretary of War is here for.

Leadership flows from the top down. Under Trump’s administration, this became clear. Current Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, wasn’t exactly stepping up to tell General Mark Milley that, well, he might want to hit the gym. It was clear to everyone—the Army, the media, and the public—that Milley was not meeting the necessary standards. His preferred roomy camouflage uniforms only added to the story.

Unfortunately, the physical state of senior officers has been a longstanding issue, especially during extended periods of peace. It’s a bit disconcerting, really, as it reflects a certain complacency about the real demands of wartime. History shows us that this isn’t new; just look at the Roman legions or the French forces before the Franco-Prussian War.

But it isn’t just the top brass struggling to keep in shape.

In my 26 years with the Navy, I’ve noticed that many of the younger sailors are in great shape. I always tell them, “Don’t let the old captain outpace you!” But, truth be told, I found myself getting bested by someone less than half my age.

There are, of course, those who argue that fitness and weight standards don’t hold the same importance in the military today. Many of these critics likely haven’t seen battle or felt the real worry of whether their comrades could cover their backs when it mattered most.

Fitness is essential. It’s a matter of reliability. When Marines declare “no better friends, no worse enemies,” you can often see that motto in their impressive physiques. That kind of outlook, supported by a disciplined approach, contributes greatly to the deterrence we need for national security.

According to recent findings from the American Security Project, about 70% of our military members fall into the overweight or obese category, which poses significant risks to our collective capabilities.

So yes, the Secretary of War is correct to demand accountability, starting from the top. He’s not shying away from calling out those who don’t measure up.

Reflecting on my early days as a young officer, I remember Admiral Greg Slavonic, who later became the deputy chief. He once emphasized that part of being in a leadership position is ensuring that standards are upheld, no matter the specifics.

It’s refreshing to see the current war chief take a firm stance on these issues.