Title: Hegseth Ends 'Politically Correct' Leadership in Military

QUANTICO, Va. — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed hundreds of military officials on Tuesday, announcing new directives aimed at changing the culture within the U.S. military. The meeting focused on implementing "gender-neutral" physical fitness standards and eliminating what Hegseth described as "woke" culture in the armed forces.

Hegseth criticized the military's promotion practices, claiming that too many leaders have been selected based on race, gender quotas, and the pursuit of "historic firsts." He stated, "The era of politically correct, overly sensitive don’t-hurt-anyone’s-feelings leadership ends right now at every level." He also indicated plans to relax disciplinary rules and reduce protections against hazing.

During his speech, Hegseth urged military leaders who disagree with his approach to resign. He emphasized the need to refocus on what he termed the "warrior ethos" and "peace through strength," while also criticizing current physical fitness and grooming standards, environmental policies, and the inclusion of transgender troops.

Hegseth proposed changes to how adverse information is retained in personnel records, suggesting that minor infractions should not hinder a service member's career. "People make honest mistakes, and our mistakes should not define an entire career," he said.

The gathering at the Marine Corps base in Quantico raised questions about its purpose and the urgency of the meeting, especially as many military leaders are stationed in various conflict zones worldwide. Experts noted that while meetings between military and civilian leaders are common, the scale and suddenness of this particular meeting were unusual. Mark Cancian, a senior adviser with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, remarked, "What’s mystifying is why it’s on such short notice, why it’s in person and what else might be involved."

The meeting's timing coincided with a potential government shutdown, and Hegseth has recently made several controversial decisions, including cuts to the number of general officers and dismissals of other high-ranking military leaders.

News of the meeting emerged last Thursday, and while Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed it, he did not provide further details. President Donald Trump, when asked about the meeting, appeared unaware of its specifics but stated he would attend if invited. He described the meeting as an opportunity to discuss military successes and positive developments.

Vice President JD Vance downplayed the significance of the meeting, suggesting that the media had exaggerated its importance. Meanwhile, Italian Adm. Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, chair of NATO’s Military Committee, called the meeting unusual, noting, "As far as my 49 years of service, I’ve never seen that before."

The lack of clarity surrounding the meeting has led to speculation about its true focus. Michael O’Hanlon from the Brookings Institution suggested that the scale of the gathering might indicate a dramatic element, stating, "Just the sheer scale makes you wonder what kind of meaningful interaction can occur."

As the military navigates these changes, the implications of Hegseth's directives remain to be seen.