When Pete Hegseth took the helm of the Department of Defense, he vowed to “restore the warrior ethos” to the military and began an overhaul of the agency with a focus on lethality and overt masculinity. The changes have ranged from an unofficial rebranding to the “Department of War” to a crackdown on servicemembers’ facial hair. And recently, the Defense secretary has upped the macho quotient to absurd new levels.

On Wednesday, Hegseth announced the Pentagon would begin screening servicemembers ages 30 and older for “testosterone deficiency” as part of their annual health assessment. Those younger than 30 will be able to opt into the testing if they so choose, and servicemembers who are recommended for treatment can decide whether to undergo testosterone-replacement therapy.

In a video shared to social media with the caption “The High-T Department of War,” the Defense secretary said the initiative was intended to ensure troops had the right testosterone levels to “operate at your absolute best.”

The High-T Department of War. pic.twitter.com/hlAUq3j2cD— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) July 15, 2026

The High-T Department of War. pic.twitter.com/hlAUq3j2cD

“This initiative — it’s not about artificial enhancement. It’s about restoring and optimizing your natural capabilities, protecting your........

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