Pentagon reviews fitness standards after concerns of erosion under Mark Milley

In the United States, the Pentagon launched a review of military fitness and grooming standards, primarily addressing the decline witnessed during Mark Milley's tenure as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, upon assuming office, expressed dissatisfaction with the current standards, which he believes have been compromised, particularly regarding physical fitness and body composition metrics. Media reports highlight that the previous approach led to inappropriate accommodations and a mismatch between standards for male and female soldiers, impeding overall military readiness. The review is part of an initiative to ensure that service members maintain high fitness levels, regardless of gender, indicating a shift toward shared accountability and merit-based standards for all troops. Moreover, there have been changes in policies related to grooming, such as altered protocols for beard wearing and relaxed rules regarding hairstyles, in an effort to modernize the military's appearance standards. Hegseth has emphasized that the military must embody discipline, fitness, and a sharp appearance, especially in a global security landscape where adversaries remain strong. This review comes at a critical time when recruitment challenges have prompted a re-evaluation of how standards are applied and enforced across the branches of the armed forces. The Army's recent initiatives demonstrating a commitment to restoring standards are indicative of a broader cultural shift intended to rebuild a cohesive, disciplined military force prepared for contemporary challenges, and to undo years of policy erosion related to diversity and inclusivity measures.