Service members must meet weight, grooming standards for Hegseth event: Report

The Pentagon is reportedly requiring troops to meet waist-to-height requirements and exhibit “impeccable” grooming standards in order to attend Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s “State of the Force” address later this month.

The Wall Street Journal published a report Tuesday which included emails from the Pentagon to Army commanders stating that troops must have “impeccable grooming and uniform standards (no exception)” to attend the State of the Force address.

The emails said members selected to attend must be “consistently rated as top performers within their formations”; have a “clear record of integrity, discipline and selfless service”; “demonstrate strong presence, clear communication and sound judgment under pressure”; and “serve as role models for their peers and subordinates,” per the Journal.

The standards were reportedly sent to commanders throughout the military outlining who can be selected as audience members for the address. Candidates can include lower-ranking officials and enlisted service members.

Those who are selected to attend the event will also have the opportunity to work out with the Defense secretary based on “demonstrated leadership quality and professional character,” according to the Journal.

The Pentagon’s email comes almost a year after it unveiled new grooming standards , specifically new criteria pertaining to facial hair.

“The grooming standard set by the U.S. military is to be clean shaven and neat in presentation for a proper military appearance,” Hegseth said when the standards were announced.

Sean Parnell, the Pentagon’s chief spokesperson, said service members would be able to obtain shaving waivers through military medical officials but ultimately the commander was the final approving authority.

Hegseth has also enforced screening policies for male active-duty and reserve service members who are older than 30, checking testosterone levels with blood tests and offering testosterone replacement therapy as a treatment.

Female service members are asked whether they have disrupted menstrual cycles that could be linked with hormonal dysregulation, according to the guidelines.

“This initiative, it’s not about artificial enhancement; it’s about restoring and optimizing your natural capabilities, protecting your longevity, ensuring you have the biological foundation required to sustain and fight,” Hegseth stated in a video announcement two months ago.

The Pentagon did not respond to The Hill’s request for immediate comment.