Quantico, Sep 30 (AP) Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth convened hundreds of US military officials for an in-person meeting on Tuesday to unveil new directives aimed at reshaping the military’s approach to leadership and fitness. Hegseth announced initiatives for “gender-neutral” or “male-level” fitness standards, as well as the discontinuation of “woke” culture within the ranks.
He expressed concern that leadership roles have been awarded for reasons unrelated to merit, such as race, gender quotas, and “historic firsts.” "The era of politically correct, overly sensitive do-not-hurt-anyone's-feelings leadership ends right now at every level,” Hegseth declared.
The secretary indicated that disciplinary rules would be loosened, alongside a reduction in hazing protections, and urged military leaders who disagree with his vision to consider resignation. Hegseth, alongside President Donald Trump, urgently summoned military leaders worldwide to the Virginia base, maintaining secrecy about the agenda until the meeting was underway.
Hegseth's speech echoed his long-held belief that the military’s focus has been misguided due to political pressures. “Foolish and reckless politicians have forced the military to concentrate on the wrong things,” he insisted, aiming to rectify what he describes as “decades of decay.”
Throughout his address, Hegseth criticized existing standards for fitness and grooming, environmental policies, and the inclusion of transgender troops, while endorsing an emphasis on “the warrior ethos” and “peace through strength.” He proposed modifications related to retention of adverse information in personnel records, advocating for a second chance for leaders with minor infractions.
“People make honest mistakes, and our mistakes should not define an entire career,” Hegseth stated. "Otherwise, we only try not to make mistakes." The large-scale assembly of military leaders at the Marine Corps base in Quantico spurred intense curiosity regarding the rationale and necessity of the gathering, especially as it entailed the presence of personnel from over a dozen conflict-ridden regions.
While high-level meetings between military and civilian leaders are common, experts noted the extraordinary size, urgent scheduling, and mystery surrounding this event. “The idea that the secretary is briefing generals on departmental vision is reasonable,” said Mark Cancian, a senior adviser at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies. However, he added, the event’s urgency and scale, coupled with its enigmatic nature, are indeed puzzling.
This gathering unfolds as the country confronts the threat of government shutdown. Furthermore, Hegseth, who champions a focus on “lethality” and “warrior ethos,” has recently executed unusual actions such as cutting general officer numbers and dismissing top military leadership.
The announcement of the meeting surfaced on Thursday, with Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell acknowledging it but withholding additional details. When reporters questioned Trump later that day in the Oval Office, the President appeared unaware of the meeting but expressed openness to attending it if requested, remarking, “Why is that such a big deal?” A White House official stated Sunday that Trump would address the gathering, with the President indicating upcoming discussions about military progress and strength.
Vice President JD Vance noted that media coverage magnified the initiative as a larger narrative, suggesting it was not unusual for Hegseth, a key figure in the military hierarchy, to meet with his generals. Italian Adm. Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, NATO’s Military Committee chair, remarked on the event's atypical nature, noting he hadn’t seen anything similar in his nearly five decades of service.
The scarcity of specifics has led Washington insiders to speculate about the meeting's true intentions. Regardless, Michael O'Hanlon of the Brookings Institution anticipates some dramatic element, positing that its scale suggests more theatrical over substantive engagement. “Sheer scale makes you wonder about meaningful interaction,” said O’Hanlon. “It smacks more of theatrics or imposition rather than an exchange of views.” (AP) SKS SKS
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