{"id":31864,"date":"2025-10-01T12:58:04","date_gmt":"2025-10-01T09:58:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=31864"},"modified":"2025-10-01T13:12:23","modified_gmt":"2025-10-01T10:12:23","slug":"trump-and-hegseth-renew-military-directives-at-rare-gathering-of-us-military-leaders-in-quantico","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/trump-and-hegseth-renew-military-directives-at-rare-gathering-of-us-military-leaders-in-quantico\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump and Hegseth renew military directives at rare gathering of US military leaders in Quantico"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

8 minute read<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth addressed hundreds of generals and admirals summoned from around the world on September 30, 2025, at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia. Trump urged the top commanders to confront \u201cthe enemy within,\u201d while Hegseth declared that the only mission of the Department of War is warfighting.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“From this moment forward, the only mission of the newly restored Department of War<\/mark><\/a> is this: Warfighting,” Hegseth said<\/mark><\/a> in his speech, referring to the name now used by the Trump administration for the Department of Defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hegseth announced sweeping new directives for the military, including the adoption of \u201cgender-neutral\u201d or \u201cmale-level\u201d standards for physical fitness. Speaking, Hegseth declared an end to what he called \u201cwoke culture\u201d within the armed forces. \u201cWe must be so strong that no nation will dare challenge us, so powerful that no enemy will dare threaten us,\u201d Trump said. \u201cAnd so capable that no adversary can even think about beating us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event, held under tight security at the sprawling 55,000-acre Quantico base, was notable for the rare assembly of so many senior commanders in one place. Military officials from conflict zones in the Middle East, Europe, and Asia were ordered to attend at short notice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hegseth opened the summit with a call for cultural and structural changes at the Pentagon, including a rejection of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, transgender service, and environmental regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Hegseth<\/a>
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth seen sitting with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Dan Caine (third from right) and U.S. military senior leadership as they listen to President Donald Trump speaking at Marine Corps Base Quantico, on September 30, 2025. (Image Credit: AP)<\/em><\/sup><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The U.S. secretary of war insisted that physical standards for combat jobs must be \u201cuniform, gender neutral, and high,\u201d even if this excluded women from some roles. \u201cIf women can make it, excellent; if not, it is what it is,\u201d he said. \u201cIf that means no women qualify for some combat jobs, so be it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Hegseth announce new military standards<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

During his nearly hour-long speech, Hegseth said he was dismantling disciplinary rules and protections against hazing and bullying. He criticized past policies that, in his words, promoted leaders \u201cfor the wrong reasons based on race, gender quotas and historic firsts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe era of politically correct, overly sensitive don\u2019t-hurt-anyone\u2019s-feelings leadership ends right now at every level,\u201d Hegseth declared. He also slammed \u201cfat generals\u201d and diversity initiatives that he said led to decades of decay in the military.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key takeaways from Hegseth\u2019s speech highlight a sharp break from past military culture, with new directives focused on merit-based promotions, strict physical and grooming standards, reduced emphasis on diversity, and a warning to leaders unwilling to comply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

.@SecWar<\/a> announces new directives to ensure that every military Combat MOS and Combat Arms position will return “to the highest male standard only \u2014 because this job is life or death.”

“Standards must be met… it’s common sense and core to who we are and what we do.” pic.twitter.com\/diAHWfKOBY<\/a><\/p>\u2014 Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) September 30, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>