Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth outlined a series of sweeping changes to the U.S. military in a speech on Wednesday, marked by controversial language and a focus on ideological and personnel reforms. Speaking at a base in Virginia, Hegseth called for a military staffed by what he described as “patriotic cowboys,” explicitly rejecting individuals he characterized as “fatties, trannies, beardos, weirdos, wimps, and radicals.” He emphasized a return to traditional values and discipline within the armed forces amid ongoing challenges linked to the conflict with Iran.
The pentagon chief announced the establishment of a new Office of Religious Affairs, which will provide military chaplains with direct access to his office. Referencing Psalm 33:12, Hegseth highlighted a desire to strengthen the role of faith in the military, further criticizing secular traditions and denouncing the Pentagon’s historical association with elite universities. He accused Ivy League institutions of abandoning “God and country” in favor of ideologies such as critical theory, and indicated plans to initiate cadet partnerships with five new colleges to reshape the officer pipeline.
Hegseth also introduced a novel testing requirement: annual testosterone level checks for male soldiers over the age of 30. This measure fits into his broader critique of what he termed the “woke” culture within the military, which he blamed for lowering standards and fostering internal discord. In his address, he accused the media of “treason” for reporting on ammunition shortages in the Iran war, a charge he vehemently denied, despite acknowledgments by President Donald Trump of some munitions running low due to the seven-month-long conflict.
The defense secretary used the event to unveil “Project Meridian,” a weapons development initiative aimed at creating future battlefield technologies encompassing environments “from under the Earth to beyond the moon.” To lead the project, Hegseth appointed Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey of defense technology firm Anduril, and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Alongside this, he announced plans for a four-star command post dedicated to autonomous weapons development under a program dubbed “Project Agincourt.”
Highlighting infrastructure expansion, Hegseth invited U.S. states to propose locations to host a new, off-grid military base designed to house between 15,000 and 25,000 troops. Governors were encouraged to streamline bureaucracy and provide support to military families if selected.
The defense chief also confirmed intentions to reduce the ranks of admirals and generals by 20 percent, framing the cutbacks as overdue accountability amid ongoing senior leadership turnover. However, his approach has generated political friction; Republican Congressman Thomas Massie had initiated impeachment efforts prior to the early adjournment of the House before the midterm elections, and Congressional skepticism remains high regarding the Pentagon’s budget request of $1.5 trillion—a 40 percent increase from the current year—especially in the context of the Iran conflict.
Hegseth’s tenure has been marked by significant turbulence within the Pentagon’s upper ranks, and his future could hinge on the outcome of next month’s midterm elections, with some speculating that a shift in congressional balance may imperil his position.