“Everything starts and ends with warriors in training and on the battlefield. We are leaving wokeness and weakness behind. And refocusing on lethality, meritocracy, accountability, standards and readiness.”
– Secretary of War Pete Hegseth Army War College, April 23, 2025
Lethality
Secretary Hegseth’s declaration of lethality as the military’s “calling card” marked a significant shift in focus for the U.S. armed forces. With a commitment to refocusing on combat effectiveness, he proposed policies aimed at eliminating distractions from the core mission of fighting and winning wars. This approach prioritizes rigorous training, advanced weaponry, and heightened tactical readiness.
Standards
To bolster military readiness, Secretary Hegseth rolled out new, stringent standards for medical, mental, and physical fitness. Emphasizing the importance of appearance, he additionally implemented a revamped grooming policy. These measures aim to ensure that every soldier embodies the values and standards expected of those serving in the military.
Meritocracy
Under a new meritocratic framework, Secretary Hegseth established a culture that rewards individual initiative, excellence, and hard work. His focus is on creating pathways for personnel to advance based on merit rather than quotas or social considerations. This push towards meritocracy is designed to cultivate a fiercely competent fighting force committed to the highest standards of performance.
Recruitment and Reenlistment
In 2025, the military experienced a surge in recruitment and reenlistment rates, particularly among women. Under Secretary Hegseth’s leadership, a 12-month initiative was launched to identify and remove unnecessary barriers to enlistment. This strategy aimed to streamline the recruitment process while maintaining high standards of quality and capability within the ranks.
COVID-19 Reinstatement
In a significant policy shift, steps were taken to reinstate service members adversely affected by the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. This move aligns with President Trump’s executive orders, and Secretary Hegseth directed the removal of adverse actions against these individuals. This decisive action aimed to rectify career setbacks and address the implications of the mandate on the military’s operational capacity.
Words Matter: Changing Names
In a striking rebranding effort, the Department of Defense was officially renamed the Department of War by President Trump. Secretary Hegseth emphasized that this change was more than mere semantics; it was about restoring the significance of military language and the values inherent in the term “war.” Additionally, various military installations began restoring their original names, reflecting a commitment to honoring the traditions and legacies of those who served.