WASHINGTON, July 16 (ANI): US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has announced a new initiative requiring annual testosterone screenings for service members age 30 and older, saying the move is intended to ensure troops remain on the “leading edge of lethality.”
According to The Hill, testosterone screenings will be incorporated into the military’s periodic health assessments for service members age 30 and older, while personnel under 30 will have the option to undergo the test voluntarily.
In a video message posted on X on Wednesday, Hegseth said, “While we invest heavily in our weapon systems, platforms and gear, our most decisive tactical advantage will always be the individual warfighter.”
The video was titled, “The High-T Department of War.”
“We have a sacred duty to maintain that advantage, which is why we must constantly look for new ways to optimize your performance, your resilience and your long-term health,” he added.
Hegseth said the screening program is intended to ensure troops “have the right testosterone levels to operate at [their] absolute best because it’s well-established science that as we age, testosterone levels often naturally drop.”
According to The Hill, service members found to require treatment after testing will be offered testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).
“This initiative… it’s not about artificial enhancement; it’s about restoring and optimizing your natural capabilities, protecting your longevity, ensuring you have the biological foundation required to sustain and fight,” Hegseth said.
“We owe our warriors the absolute best medical care in the world. And this program delivers on that obligation,” he added.
The Hill reported that the initiative comes amid the Trump administration’s broader emphasis on traditional masculinity. In April, the US Food and Drug Administration expanded access to testosterone replacement therapy after years of recommending it primarily for men with medical conditions affecting testosterone production.
According to The Hill, Hegseth has also introduced stricter military fitness standards requiring personnel to meet a uniform “male standard” and has frequently emphasized physical fitness by working out with service members. Last September, he said he did not want to see overweight troops or “fat generals and admirals.”
The Hill noted that an estimated 5.6 percent of men ages 30 to 79 have testosterone deficiency, which can lead to muscle loss, fatigue, weight gain, and sexual dysfunction. The condition is also associated with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and depression.
“By addressing these health markers early, we’re keeping you on the leading edge of lethality and giving you the same level of support that you give this nation the absolute best,” Hegseth said. (ANI)
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