Defense Secretary Hegseth Tackles Obesity in Reserve Forces

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has launched a stringent policy to address the alarming rate of obesity among Reserve and Guard troops, which threatens military readiness.

A recent report by the American Security Project (ASP) revealed that over two-thirds of the nation’s Reserve and Guard forces are overweight, posing a significant threat to their readiness and ability to deploy swiftly. The study, which found that 68% of these troops are overweight, emphasized the critical need for new health policies and better access to obesity-related healthcare. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth responded forcefully to the findings, announcing a ‘No More Walking On Eggshells’ policy aimed at enforcing real fitness and weight standards across the military.

Hegseth’s declaration on social media platform X was clear: ‘Completely unacceptable. This is what happens when standards are IGNORED — and this is what we are changing. REAL fitness & weight standards are here. We will be FIT, not FAT.’ This statement underscores a shift towards stricter enforcement of physical standards, which Hegseth believes have been neglected, leading to a decline in military fitness.

The ASP report also highlighted the broader implications of obesity among service members, noting increased risks for serious health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and more. For reserve forces, who often juggle civilian jobs and live away from military bases, the report suggests that a one-size-fits-all approach will not suffice in combating these health trends.

In response to these challenges, Hegseth has initiated a comprehensive review of grooming and physical fitness standards, questioning the impact of relaxed standards on military readiness. This review, directed at the undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, will examine changes in standards since 2015 and their effects on the military’s overall fitness and readiness.