The Department of Defense reportedly sent an email to Army commanders on Tuesday, September 15, requesting the nomination of soldiers to appear with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during his "State of the Force" address on September 30. The message, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, specifies that participating troops must meet specific physical and appearance criteria. According to the report, the selected soldiers will be invited to take part in a workout with the Secretary.
The request for nominees follows Secretary Hegseth's efforts to enforce personal appearance and fitness requirements within the military. Since taking office, the Secretary has issued memos addressing these standards, including a March 2025 directive for a review of body composition and grooming rules. In August 2025, Hegseth further called for a "clean-shaven military" and has previously criticized the use of medical exemptions for shaving, known as "shaver waivers."
According to the reported email, nominated soldiers must meet the Army's preferred waist-to-height ratio and fitness tests. The message emphasized that candidates must maintain "impeccable grooming and uniform standards" with "no exception." Beyond physical appearance, the email stated that soldiers would be selected based on leadership qualities, professional character, integrity, and their status as top performers within their units.
The enforcement of these grooming and fitness standards reflects a shift in Department of Defense policy under Hegseth’s leadership. Service members have already seen changes in how grooming regulations are applied, including the Secretary's previous refusal to meet with soldiers in South Korea who held medical shaving exemptions and the removal of overweight Texas National Guard members from Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago. These actions set a precedent for using physical appearance and adherence to grooming as a benchmark for professional representation.
What happens next depends on the internal military response and external legislative actions. The "State of the Force" address and accompanying workout are scheduled for September 30. Concurrently, the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to address a resolution filed by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) to impeach Hegseth. The resolution requires a vote within two days of its filing earlier this week. The Pentagon has not officially commented on the specific email, though a spokesperson stated the Secretary maintains high expectations for appearance and discipline.