Hegseth touts push to replace heavyset National Guard troops in Illinois

Hegseth touts push to replace heavyset National Guard troops in Illinois

(The Hill) - Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is touting an effort by the Texas Military Department to remove an unknown number of the state’s National Guard troops deployed to Chicago after a photo of seemingly overweight service members arriving in Illinois went viral. “Standards are back at The [Department of War],” Hegseth posted to social media Monday alongside a story from Task & Purpose, which had reported on the troops’ replacement a day p…

Hegseth Enforces Fitness Policy; Some Texas National Guard Troops Replaced in Illinois

The removals follow a Pentagon directive requiring troops to meet strict height, weight, and fitness benchmarks for mobilization and maintain force readiness.

'Deep-dish pizza' troops pulled from Chicago amid online mockery

Several of the Texas National Guard troops sent to Illinois in efforts to crack down on crime have since been replaced after social media scrutiny.

Texas National Guard Troops Pulled From Duty in Illinois for Failing to Meet ‘Fitness Standards’

A select number of Texas National Guard troops have reportedly been pulled from duty in Illinois for failing to meet the department’s new “physical fitness standards.”A spokesperson for the Texas Military Department confirmed the troops’ replacement on Sunday, saying the speed at which Texas mobilized its troops for deployment to Chicago “necessitated a concurrent validation process, during which we identified a small group of service members wh…

Hegseth pushes fitness standards after Texas replaces some National Guard troops

Hegseth told military leaders last month that it was "tiring" to see "fat troops" and "unacceptable to see fat generals and admirals in the halls of the Pentagon leading commands around the country and the world.”

Hegseth calls for higher fitness standards after Texas National Guard goes viral

In March, Hegseth took the first steps toward changing combat arms standards for men and women.