US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth mandates testosterone tests for soldiers over 30

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is introducing a novel approach to military readiness: mandatory annual testosterone level testing for all soldiers over 30. Hegseth, who has publicly emphasized masculinity and physical fitness, believes this hormonal screening is crucial for ensuring troops have the biological capacity to endure combat.

The directive, titled "Health Performance Optimization to Increase Military Readiness," mandates the tests, with soldiers found to have low testosterone levels offered voluntary treatment. This initiative is part of Hegseth's broader agenda to enhance the U.S. military's "lethality," which has also included renaming the Defense Department to the War Department and imposing rigorous physical fitness standards.

Hegseth's focus on traditional masculinity and physical prowess has been a hallmark of his tenure. He has previously expressed disdain for soldiers with high body fat or unkempt appearances and advocated for stricter fitness requirements. While hormone replacement therapies are gaining popularity in the U.S. for various conditions, their mandatory application within the military marks a significant and potentially controversial step in military health policy.