Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth is pledging to whip the army again into preventing form.
The 44-year-old fired off on X Friday, vowing to tighten health requirements and go from “fats” to “match” after a bombshell report claimed two-thirds of the U.S.’s reserve troops are obese, RadarOnline.com can reveal.
Article continues under commercial
Hegseth has been open about his ideas on how he believes army health requirements have been ‘ignored.’
Article continues under commercial
He wrote: “Utterly unacceptable. That is what occurs when requirements are IGNORED — and that is what we’re altering. REAL health & weight requirements are right here.
“We might be FIT, not FAT.”
Article continues under commercial
The investigation continues into Secretary of Protection Hegseth and companions’ leaked texts.
Article continues under commercial
Hegseth’s response adopted a brand new American Safety Venture research launched Thursday, revealing 68% of reserve troops at the moment are categorized as obese or overweight – up from 65% in 2018.
In a 22-page research, researchers wrote: “Weight problems and its related circumstances, lots of which can forestall or delay deployment, play a serious position in limiting reserve element readiness.
Article continues under commercial
“Weight problems is strongly related to quite a few circumstances throughout the prime 5 illness classes driving reserve medical encounters and hospital mattress days.”
Weight problems is a prime cause candidates are disqualified and troops separate early within the Guard and Reserve, with males affected greater than girls.
Article continues under commercial
Article continues under commercial
The Military Nationwide Guard has the very best weight problems price at 20.6%, whereas the Marine Corps Reserve has the bottom at 7.3%.
Researchers added: “As most Nationwide Guard and reserve personnel serve part-time, there are a selection of distinctive logistical and way of life challenges to contemplate when crafting coverage to stop and deal with weight problems within the reserve element.”
Article continues under commercial
Hegseth, who is alleged to be on the chopping block on the Division of Protection, shared an analogous comment whereas talking on the U.S. Military Warfare School in Pennsylvania earlier this week.
He defined: “To be deadly, it’s a must to belief that the warrior alongside you in battle or the troops preventing within the unit that lots of you’ll lead are succesful, really bodily able to doing what is important underneath fireplace.
“They should be match, not fats. Sharp, not shabby. Particularly, our leaders.”
Article continues under commercial
Article continues under commercial
Again in March, Hegseth posted one other message on X — solely that point, he swapped “shabby” for “sloppy.”
He mentioned: “Our troops might be match – not fats. Our troops will look sharp – not sloppy. We search solely high quality – not quotas. BOTTOM LINE: our @DeptofDefense will make requirements HIGH & GREAT once more — throughout your entire drive.”
Article continues under commercial
Hegseth’s current remarks observe him disregarding recent media reviews accusing him of a second army leak – this time involving categorized particulars about strikes in Yemen.
He allegedly shared the intel with 13 individuals through his private telephone, together with his spouse and brother, revealing specifics just like the timing of U.S. fighter jet takeoffs and targets.
Article continues under commercial
President Trump lately defended Hegseth, saying he is ‘doing an excellent job.’
READ MORE ON POLITICS
Article continues under commercial
Following his second nationwide safety blunder in only a few months on the Pentagon, NPR reported the White Home has discreetly kicked off the search to switch Hegseth – regardless of vocal assist from President Trump and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
An nameless U.S. official reportedly instructed NPR: “The White Home has begun the method of in search of a brand new Secretary of Protection,” although the particular person wasn’t cleared to talk on the matter publicly.
By no means Miss an
Each day updates from the guts of Hollywood, proper to your inbox
By coming into your electronic mail and clicking Signal Up, you’re agreeing to allow us to ship you customised advertising messages about us and our promoting companions. You’re additionally agreeing to our Phrases of Service and Privateness Coverage.
Article continues under commercial
Trump has expressed assist for Hegseth, dismissing issues over the textual content leaks as a “waste of time.”
He added: “He is doing an excellent job — ask the Houthis how he is doing.”
Article continues under commercial
Jennifer Rauchet has been known as her husband’s ‘parole officer’ as she has reportedly been glued to his aspect.
Hegseth has additionally denied any wrongdoing, explaining throughout a White Home Easter occasion: “That is what the media does, they take nameless sources from disgruntled former staff, after which they attempt to slash and burn individuals, spoil their fame.
“Not gonna work with me as a result of we’re altering the Protection Division, placing the Pentagon again within the fingers of warfighters.”
The appearing inspector normal of the Protection Division is at present reviewing his disclosures.