Hegseth declares end to 'woke' military culture, tells top leaders to resign if they disagree

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told hundreds of U.S. military officials at an in-person meeting Tuesday that the era of politically correct" leadership is over and that those who don't agree with his approach should resign.

“The era of politically correct, overly sensitive don’t-hurt-anyone’s-feelings leadership ends right now at every level,” Hegseth said at the Marine Corps base in Quantico, Virginia.

He also announced at the meeting new directives for troops that include “gender-neutral” or “male-level” standards for physical fitness as well as an end to “woke” culture in the military, according to the Associated Press.

President Trump spoke at the event later this morning.

Hegseth also said he is changing fitness and appearance standards for the military, while setting the "Golden Rule" test.

Hegseth began his speech by saying: "Welcome to the War Department."

He also said: "The era of the Department of Defense is over."

The secretary said the mission of the Pentagon is "warfighting: preparing for war and preparing to win, unrelenting and uncompromising in that pursuit."

"Our warfighters are entitled to be led by the best and most capable leaders," he said. "That is who we need you all to be."

"We lost our way, and we became the 'woke' department, but not anymore," Hegseth also said.

The secretary said that he is sending out 10 new DOD directives regarding physical fitness and grooming requirements, including a return to "the highest male standard" for combat positions.

"If you do not meet the male level physical standards for combat positions, cannot pass a  PT test, or don't want to shave and look professional, it's time for a new position or a new profession," he said.

Hegseth added that "it's tiring to look out at combat formations, or really any formation, and see fat troops. Likewise, it's completely unacceptable to see fat generals and admirals in the halls of the Pentagon and leading commands around the world. It's a bad look."

Hegseth also said that service members will be spending less time in the classroom.