WASHINGTON — War Secretary Pete Hegseth harangued a near-unprecedented gathering of America’s top generals and admirals Tuesday, announcing that combat troops must meet “male-level” fitness levels, to face “life and death” situations.

If women — and “weak men” — don’t meet those standards, “so be it,” Hegseth said in remarks at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia.

“Frankly, it’s tiring to look out at combat formations — and frankly any formations — and see fat troops,” he went on. “It’s unacceptable to see fat generals and admirals in the halls of the Pentagon, and leading all around the world.

“It’s a bad look, and it’s not who we are!”

Hegseth’s fitness directive will be sent out to each branch of the service and will highlight new mandates and standards for service members.

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