Pentagon Chief Defends Controversial Remarks on Military Appearance Standards
QUANTICO, VA – Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is defending his recent, sharply worded address to senior military leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico on September 30, 2025, where he criticized what he termed “superficial individual expression” within the armed forces. The speech, delivered to hundreds of one-star generals and rear admirals, along with their senior enlisted counterparts, sparked widespread criticism and ridicule.
Hegseth’s directive-requiring the in-person gathering of high-ranking officers stationed globally-initially lacked clarification, fueling further controversy. During the address, Hegseth stated, “We don’t have a military full of Nordic pagans,” and added, “No more beards, long hair, superficial individual expression. We’re going to cut our hair, shave our beards, and adhere to standards.”
The unusual order and the accompanying rhetoric quickly became fodder for satire, including a segment on the 51st season premiere of Saturday Night Live.
Hegseth, a former member of the Minnesota army National Guard with limited military experience, has faced scrutiny throughout his career. Prior to his appointment to Donald Trump’s cabinet, a New Yorker report from December detailed accusations of mismanagement during his time running veterans’ nonprofits. Additionally, The Daily Beast reported that former colleagues at Fox News, where he anchored Fox and Friends Weekend from 2017 to 2024, corroborated allegations of excessive drinking on the job. Hegseth has been married three times, becoming involved with subsequent partners while still married to previous spouses, and has seven children-four biological and three step-children.
