US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has announced new "gender-neutral" directives for troops. Photo: AP PHOTO

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has criticised "fat generals" and diversity initiatives that he says have led to decades of decay in the military and told a rare gathering of commanders they should resign if they don't support his agenda.

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"Foolish and reckless political leaders set the wrong compass heading and we lost our way. We became the 'Woke Department'," Hegseth said as he kicked off the event in Quantico, Virginia.

"But not anymore," he said.

Addressing the room

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