 "'Resign if your heart sinks at my words': Hegseth to US military commanders in 45-minute lecture")
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a 45-minute-long lecture to high-profile military officials, as he warned of a different challenge and vowed to eliminate “fat generals” and to roll back what he called decades of decay.
The Pentagon chief rolled out 10 directives that seek to dismantle so-called “woke” efforts, overhaul fitness standards within the army, implement strict grooming codes and impose “male standards” on combat troops.
“The sooner we have the right people, the sooner we can advance the right policies … but if the words I’m speaking today are making your heart sink, then you should do the honourable thing and resign,” Hegseth said.
What did Hegseth say?
Hegseth’s speech invited criticism and stoked fears among Democrats and army veterans who are worried about the implications of his directives.
Hegseth stated that sexual harassment and racism are “wrong and illegal,” emphasising that such violations will be “ruthlessly” enforced. However, he added, “telling someone to shave or get a haircut or get a shave or fix their uniform or show up on time or to work hard, that’s exactly the kind of discrimination we want.”
He also said that physical tests for troops would be the government’s number one priority, even if it leads to fewer women serving in the armed forces. The DoD chief said that the Pentagon’s internal complaint and investigations protocols will be changed so unit leaders aren’t “walking on eggshells.”
He said, “No more frivolous complaints, no more anonymous complaints, no more repeat complaints, no more [ruined] reputations, no more endless waiting, no more legal limbo, no more sidetracking careers or walking on eggshells.”
Trump says cities should be military ’training grounds'
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said during the meeting that the country faces a “war from within” and suggested American cities be used as “training grounds” for troops.
“I told Pete, we should use some of these dangerous cities as training grounds for our military,” Trump said in front of a huge US flag at a military facility in Quantico, near Washington.
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View AllHe added that “we’re going to straighten them out one by one, and this is going to be a major part for some of the people in this room. That’s a war too – it’s a war from within.”
With inputs from agencies
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