U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth outlined a sweeping reform of military standards and gender rules that could limit the role of women in combat units. The goal, he said, is to bolster the image of American military power.

"You're not politically correct and you don't necessarily belong in polite society," ...before hundreds of generals and admirals who were called to Quantico.

Hegseth has long stressed that the military should be distinct from civilian society. The new orders stipulate "the highest male standards" in training and clearly defined rules of grooming. "I don't want my son serving alongside soldiers who are out of shape or in combat units with women who can't meet the same physical standards as men," řekl.

His speech, styled in the form of a TED talk and delivered just hours before the threatened government shutdown, called for a return to an army capable of winning wars quickly and decisively by overwhelming force. This was a marked contrast to the speeches of his predecessors Jim Mattis and Lloyd Austin, who emphasized primarily the threats from Russia and China.

Hegseth even compared himself to Henry Stimson, the World War II-era Secretary of War, and compared the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, to the legendary George Marshall.

In his speech, he also criticized "fat generals and admirals" at the Pentagon and denounced the diversity policies pushed under the Biden administration. He described these actions as the work of "Woke Department".

There were also elements of internet meme culture - Hegseth warned enemies of the US that they could "FAFO" (short for "fuck around and find out"). "If necessary, our soldiers will translate for you." dodal.

The new rules will set a "highest male standard" of physical fitness in combat units, officially labeled "gender neutral." But the minister acknowledged that most women are unlikely to meet those standards. "If it means no women qualify for certain combat positions, that's just the way it's going to be," uvedl. "It's not the intention, but it may be the result."

The changes will also affect top officers - generals and admirals will have to undergo physical tests twice a year. In addition, Hegseth has hinted that the Pentagon is looking at reforming the inspector general's investigation, just as a report on his sharing of sensitive information about military operations through the Signal app is forthcoming.

The speech concluded with a warning: after last year's purges, when Hegseth dismissed the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, C.Q. Brown, Admiral Lisa Franchetti and other senior officers, more personnel changes will come, he said. "More changes in leadership will come," uzavřel.

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