Secretary of War Pete Hegseth told service members that those unwilling to embrace his sweeping rollback of diversity mandates and battlefield restrictions should “do the honorable thing and resign.”
Speaking before hundreds of commanders at Quantico Marine Corps Base in Virginia, Hegseth declared the Defense Department “dead” and said its replacement, the War Department, will focus solely on “preparing for war and preparing to win.”
“If the words I’m speaking today are making your heart sink, then you should do the honorable thing and resign,” Hegseth said.
“We would thank you for your service.
“But I suspect the overwhelming majority of you feel the opposite.
“These words make your hearts full.”
Shattering The Old Order
The remarks came after Hegseth summoned all generals and flag officers ranked one star and above for an unprecedented in-person address.
He has already fired a dozen senior officers, underscoring that the shift is more than rhetorical.
Hegseth blasted decades of “decay” inside the military, citing diversity programs, lowered standards, and politicized leadership.
“We became the woke department. But not anymore,” he said.
“No more identity months, DEI offices, dudes in dresses, no more climate change worship.
“No more division, distraction, or gender delusions.
“No more debris. We are done with that.”
Ten Directives to Restore the ‘Warrior Ethos’
Hegseth announced a set of ten new directives aimed at restoring what he called a “warrior ethos” across every branch of the military.
He said all combat standards will return to their pre-2015 levels, undoing years of politically motivated adjustments designed to expand female participation.
Physical tests will be gender-neutral and required twice a year for every rank, from privates to four-star generals, while strict grooming rules, including bans on beards and long hair, will once again be enforced.
He explained that training will pivot away from mandatory PowerPoint courses and bureaucratic “death by slides” toward more time in the field and on weapons ranges.
Basic training will also be reset to what he described as “scary, tough, and disciplined” practices, with drill sergeants empowered to use physical intensity to forge recruits into hardened soldiers.
“Standards must be uniform, gender-neutral, and high,” Hegseth said.
“If not, they’re just suggestions.
“And suggestions get our sons and daughters killed.”
Hegseth also pledged to overhaul inspector general processes, reducing what he called “frivolous complaints” that have weakened commanders’ authority.
Power, he said, must return to officers and NCOs who are responsible for winning wars, not catering to political agendas.
“If women can make it, excellent. If not, it is what it is,” Hegseth said.
“Weak men won’t qualify either. We’re not playing games.”
Taking Aim At ‘Weaponized’ Complaints
Hegseth argued that terms like “toxic leadership,” “bullying,” and “hazing” had been weaponized to punish tough leaders while rewarding risk-averse officers.
“Real toxic leadership is promoting people based on immutable characteristics or quotas instead of merit,” he said.
“If that makes me toxic, then so be it.”
A Warning to Adversaries
Framing his vision with references to George Washington and the Roman Empire, Hegseth said the War Department’s mission is to deter adversaries through “peace through strength.”
“To our enemies, FAFO,” he declared, using the acronym for “f— around and find out.”
“Today is another Liberation Day, the liberation of America’s warriors in name, indeed, and in authorities,” he said.
“You kill people and break things for a living.
“You are not politically correct and don’t necessarily belong always in polite society. You are warriors.”
Hegseth closed the address with a prayer, underscoring that the era of social experimentation in the armed forces is over.
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