US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has slammed "fat generals" and diversity initiatives that he says has led to decades of decay in the military.

Mr Hegseth made the comments at a rare gathering of commanders on Tuesday, local time.

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

"We became the 'Woke Department'. But not anymore."

Addressing a room full of America's top generals, summoned from around the world without explanation last week, Mr Hegseth defended his firings of flag officers, which include the top US general, who was Black, and the Navy's top admiral, who was a woman.

He said the officers he relieved were part of a broken culture.

He promised sweeping changes to

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