WASHINGTON: US Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth slammed “fats generals” and variety initiatives that he mentioned led to a long time of decay within the army and informed a rare gathering of commanders on Tuesday (Sep 30) they need to resign if they do not assist his agenda.
“Silly and reckless political leaders set the improper compass heading and we misplaced our method. We grew to become the ‘Woke Division’,” Hegseth mentioned as he kicked off the occasion in Quantico, Virginia. “However not anymore,” he mentioned.
Addressing a room stuffed with America’s prime generals and admirals, summoned from all over the world with out clarification final week, Hegseth defended his firings of flag officers, which embrace the highest US common, who was Black, and the Navy’s prime admiral, who was a girl. He mentioned the officers he relieved had been a part of a damaged tradition.
He promised sweeping adjustments to how discrimination complaints are dealt with and the way accusations of wrongdoing are investigated on the Pentagon, saying the present system has prime brass strolling on “egg shells.”
“If the phrases I am talking at present are making your hearts sink, then you must do the honourable factor and resign,” Hegseth mentioned.
“I do know the overwhelming majority of you’re feeling the other. These phrases make your hearts full.”
Hegseth criticised the look of obese troops, saying: “It is fully unacceptable to see fats generals and admirals within the halls of the Pentagon.”
He mentioned all health assessments could be set to male benchmarks solely and emphasised the significance of grooming requirements.
“The period of unprofessional look is over. No extra beardos,” Hegseth informed the viewers, which sat in silence.
