&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth fires ‘fat troops,’ says 'fat generals' won’t be tolerated as Texas Guard members replaced over fitness")
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday (Oct 13) announced that several Texas National Guard troops had been replaced after failing to meet physical fitness standards, once again declaring that “standards are back” at the Department of War. The move apparently came about after a picture of Texas National Guard arriving in Illinois, Chicago, went viral with people slamming the apparently overweight soldiers for being "very very thick," among other more offensive things.
Viral photo behind firing?
Hegseth, who has previously said that "fat troops " and "fat generals" were unbecoming of the US military, posted an article with the headline "Some Texas National Guard troops replaced
in Illinois after failing to meet standards," with the caption: "Standards are back at The @DeptofWar".
The photo of the arriving troops was clicked by the Associated Press’ Erin Hooley. It went viral online, prompting questions about fitness and readiness across US forces. However, as per Daily Beast it was not clear whether any of the soldiers in the photo had been removed from duty.
Previously, on Oct 9, the National Guard in a statement said, "All National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are required to meet service-specific height, weight and physical fitness standards at all times."
Trending Stories
)
'Now come to us': CJP resumes protest after Parliament march violence, calls meeting with Nadda 'waste of time'
)
Iran strikes Amazon data infrastructure in Bahrain, power, water desalination plants in Kuwait
)
Indus treaty can no longer function in its current form, says India; plans 5,500 mw of new J&K hydro projects
)
'George Soros playbook': Understanding the foreign funding network around Sonam Wangchuk
)
Jail over Khamenei post: J&K youth returns home after 3 months in Saudi custody
)
Salman Khan breaks silence on health concerns after viral Mumbai appearance
)
'We acted immediately...': Indian PM Modi breaks silence on paper leaks as NEET protest, calls for Education Minister's resignation grows
)
Sonam Wangchuk's connection with George Soros and Ford Foundation explained!
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why US fighter jets use seamless bubble canopies compared to Russian jets
)
Student union leaders call off hunger strike at Jantar Mantar after civil society appeal, but protest continues
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 batters with most runs in India vs Zimbabwe T20Is
)
FACT CHECK: Was Abhijit Dipke detained during CJP's Parliament march? Here's what police say
)
Truck loaded with stones, metro stations closed: What's happening at Jantar Mantar now
)
'There is no need for...': PM Modi takes a veiled dig at Rahul Gandhi, sends big message amid Parliament March
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
2026 FIFA World Cup awards: Full list of Golden Boot, Golden Ball, Golden Glove and every major winner
)
UP BTech gold medalist dies by suicide after failing in nearly 50 govt job attempts, leaves note for father
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New OTT releases this week (July 20-26, 2026): Musafir Cafe, Adarsh Baal Vidyalaya, 72 Hours- 5 new titles coming on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
'Guru is the...': Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan shares message on education amid calls for his resignation
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
FIFA World Cup 2026 team of the tournament: The best XI that ruled football’s biggest stage
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the F-22’s cockpit glass is thicker than a standard fighter jet
)
Xi Jinping's new AI bloc: China launches 'World AI Body' with Pakistan and Russia in, India out
)
Japan is selling a refrigerator to cool the human body for Rs 9 lakh. It is already a hit in Tokyo
)
'What is wrong...': Anna Hazare breaks silence on Sonam Wangchuk's protest, makes an appeal to Centre
)
3.5-million-year-old mystery creature found in Japan is a 'giant' never seen before
"When mobilising for active duty, members go through a validation process to ensure they meet requirements. On the rare occasions when members are found not in compliance, they will not go on mission. They will be returned to their home station, and replacements who do meet standards will take their places," it added.
Hegseth and his obsession with fit vs fat
Hegseth, a former Army officer and Fox News host known for his outspoken views on military discipline, has repeatedly criticised what he calls “fat troops” and “fat generals,” saying they undermine the image and effectiveness of the armed forces.
"If the Secretary of War can do regular, hard PT, so can every member of our joint force," he told senior officers last month during a meeting at Marine Corps University in Quantico, adding that “hot yoga and stretching don’t count.”
