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By Martha McHardy and Shane Croucher
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told a rare meeting of the most senior military leadership in the U.S. that they must "prepare for war".
"From this moment forward, the only mission of the newly restored Department of War is this: Warfighting," Hegseth said in his speech at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, referring to the name now used by the Trump administration for the Department of Defense.
"Preparing for war and preparing to win. Unrelenting and uncompromising in that pursuit. Not because we want war. No one here wants war. But it's because we love peace."
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Newsweek has contacted the Department of Defense for comment via email.
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Why It Matters
Hundreds of generals and admirals with one-star rank or higher, along with aides and senior staff, were called from all around the globe to attend the meeting in Quantico, Virginia, Tuesday, for an address by Hegseth and President Donald Trump.
The move comes just weeks after Trump signed an executive order, renaming the Department of Defense as the Department of War—a title last used in 1947. Trump said the rebrand will send a message to America's enemies and allies alike.
What To Know
Trump and Hegseth used the speech to declare an end to “woke” culture in the military and targeted other policies of past administrations. Hegseth told senior military leaders that he no longer wants to see “fat generals and admirals” or overweight troops in combat units.
“It’s completely unacceptable to see fat generals and admirals in the halls of the Pentagon leading commands around the country, in the world, it’s a bad look,” Hegseth said.
Since taking office under Trump, Hegseth has made physical readiness central to his effort to restore what he calls the military’s “warrior ethos.” He has repeatedly highlighted the importance of new fitness requirements as part of that broader push.
The Defense Secretary pointed to his own regimen as an example. “It all starts with physical fitness and appearance,” he said. “If the Secretary of War can do regular, hard PT [physical training], so can every member of our joint force.”
“Today at my direction, every member of the joint force, at every rank, is required … [to] meet height and weight requirements twice a year every year,” Hegseth added.
He added that the U.S. military will mandate troops in combat roles to meet “this highest male standard only,” requiring every service member in such positions to score above 70 percent on the “male standard” of their branch’s physical fitness test.
Hegseth also railed against what he described as "woke" in his department.
"No more identity months, DEI offices, dudes in dresses, no more climate change worship, no more division, distraction or gender delusion, no more debris. I've said before and will say again, we are done with that s***," the Secretary of Defense said.
Hegseth said he is overhauling the Pentagon’s Equal Opportunity program and Inspector General office, which recently reviewed his use of Signal for sensitive military discussions.
“We are overhauling an inspector general process — the IG that has been weaponized, putting complainers, ideologues, and poor performers in the driver seat,” he told senior leaders at Quantico.
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On the Equal Opportunity program, he said: “No more frivolous complaints, no more anonymous complaints, no more repeat complainants, no more smearing reputations, no more endless waiting, no more legal limbo, no more side-tracking careers, no more walking on eggshells.” He added, “Of course, being a racist has been illegal in our formation since 1948. The same goes for sexual harassment. Both are wrong and illegal.”
Hegseth also ordered “a full review” of terms like toxic leadership, bullying, and hazing, which he argued have been “weaponized.” “The definition of ‘toxic’ has been turned upside down, and we’re correcting that,” he said. “If that makes me toxic, then so be it.” He later added drill sergeants can “put their hands on recruits” and use “tried and true methods” to motivate them.
Speaking outside of the White House ahead of his address to military leaders, President Trump also underscored that he would take a hard line in evaluating senior leaders going forward.
“I’m going to be meeting with generals and with admirals and with leaders, and if I don’t like somebody, I’m gonna fire them right on the spot,” Trump said.
Hegseth echoed Trump's words, telling senior military officers to “do the honorable thing and resign” if they did not agree with his views on diversity in the military, the military’s past Covid-19 vaccine mandate, or criticisms of transgender individuals.
What People Are Saying
In his speech, Trump said the Department of Defense should use “dangerous cities as training grounds” for the military and National Guard. He said: “I told Pete [Hegseth], we should use some of these dangerous cities as training grounds for our military, National Guard, but military, because we’re going into Chicago very soon, that’s a big city with an incompetent governor.”
What Happens Next
Trump said his administration has committed to spending more than $1trillion on the military in 2026. He also added Hegseth would soon be announcing major reforms to "streamline military acquisitions and expedite foreign military sales."
Update 09/30/2025 11.02am E.T This story was updated with more information.
Update 09/30/2025 11.39am E.T This story was updated with more information.
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