US Defense Secretary Convenes Military Leaders, Criticizes "Obese Generals"

　　According to a Xinhua report, the US military leaders' conference convened by Defense Secretary Hagerseith was held on September 30 at the Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia. In his speech, Hagerseith stated that the Department of Defense needs "the right people" and "the right culture," and proposed 10 new directives on this matter. One of these new directives is to strengthen physical fitness standards and testing, and enhance grooming requirements.

　　At the conference, he announced height and weight requirements for all US military personnel and bluntly stated: "Frankly, it's disturbing to see obese soldiers in combat formations, or in any formation." Referring to himself, he said: "If the Secretary of War can adhere to regular high-intensity physical training, then every member of our joint forces can do so too."

　　Hagerseith stated that all combat positions across US military branches will implement the "highest male standard," "because this job is a matter of life and death, standards must be met, and not just 'met'—at every level, we should strive to exceed standards and push limits." He added: "This is common sense and core to our identity and mission; it should be in our DNA."

　　Although this move does not directly require reducing the number of women serving in combat positions, Hagerseith admitted that this is likely to happen. "If women can meet the standards, that's fine; if not, that's just the way it is," "This also means that men who lack the capability are equally unqualified."

　　The Hill disclosed that the Air Force introduced a new physical fitness assessment test last week. The test uses a percentile system and covers four categories: cardiopulmonary function, waist-to-height ratio, muscle strength, and core muscle endurance. The muscle strength test includes multiple items, such as 1-minute push-ups, 2-minute release push-ups, 1-minute sit-ups, 2-minute cross-legged reverse crunches, and timed forearm plank.

　　Democrats widely condemned this event, stating that it attempts to deeply infiltrate partisan politics into the US military. Senate Armed Services Committee Democratic Leader Jack Reed said, "The signal this sends is that partisan loyalty is more important than competence, judgment, or service to the Constitution, undermining the principle of a professional, non-partisan military."