QUANTICO, VA — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth addressed hundreds of the nation’s top generals and admirals at the Marine Corps Museum last week, delivering a blunt and sweeping directive: the U.S. military will abandon policies associated with diversity, inclusion, and progressive cultural norms in favor of a renewed focus on discipline, warfighting, and traditional standards.
“The era of the Department of Defense is over,” Hegseth said. “Welcome to the War Department.”
The September 27 gathering, one of the largest meetings of general and flag officers in recent memory, was described by Hegseth as the beginning of a cultural and operational overhaul intended to “restore the warrior ethos.” In the course of his 45-minute speech, he laid out the administration’s intent to eliminate what he called “division, distraction or gender delusions” within the ranks.
“No more identity months. No more DEI offices. No more dudes in dresses. No more climate change worship. No more division, distraction or gender delusions. No more debris,” Hegseth said, followed by: “We are done with that sh*t.”
In his remarks, Hegseth signaled a clear break from policies implemented over the past decade and emphasized what he framed as a return to fundamentals. According to the official Department of War transcript, the following initiatives are being implemented:
Fitness and Grooming Standards
Hegseth emphasized that all troops will be expected to meet the same physical standards, with no variations based on gender. “It all starts with physical fitness and appearance,” he said, noting that commanders should no longer accept poor physical conditioning at any level.
“Frankly, it’s tiring to look out at combat formations… and see fat troops. It’s completely unacceptable to see fat generals and admirals… It is a bad look. It is bad, and it’s not who we are.”
While specific regulations were not detailed in the address, Hegseth indicated that enforcement of grooming and uniform standards will become stricter. Appearance, he said, is a reflection of the seriousness and professionalism expected from the force.
Disbanding DEI Initiatives
One of the most definitive policy reversals concerns the termination of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. Hegseth announced that all DEI offices across the services would be disbanded.
“We are a warfighting institution. That’s it. One mission: Fight and win America’s wars. We are not an equity seminar.”
Hegseth also promised a reconfiguration of the Department’s Inspector General office, claiming it had become politicized. While he did not specify how, he suggested the system for handling complaints had deterred commanders from disciplining subordinates or maintaining order.
A Shift in Military Culture
The changes outlined represent a decisive pivot from the policies of previous administrations, especially regarding gender identity and cultural accommodation within the ranks. While Hegseth did not formally announce a ban on transgender service, his language — particularly referencing “dudes in dresses” — makes clear the administration’s stance on the issue.
The Defense Department currently screens recruits for a variety of psychological and physical conditions that may impact deployability. Gender dysphoria had been a disqualifying condition in the past, and it remains unclear how this will be handled under the new guidance.
In July a male officer who modified his body to look like a woman was ordered not to wear a female dress uniform to a graduation ceremony.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (left) says there will be no more “dudes in dresses” in the military, such as Army Major Kara Corcoran (right).
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