US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has announced mandatory annual testosterone screenings for service members aged 30 and older to optimize performance. The screenings, part of periodic health assessments, will also be available voluntarily for younger troops. Hegseth emphasized the program aims to restore natural capabilities, not artificially enhance performance. The initiative aligns with the Trump administration's broader emphasis on traditional masculinity and stricter military fitness standards.

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has announced a new initiative requiring annual testosterone screenings for service members aged 30 and above, saying the move is aimed at ensuring troops remain on the "leading edge of lethality."

"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. - Pete Hegseth"

According to The Hill, the testosterone screening will be incorporated into the military's periodic health assessment for service members aged 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 (local time), Hegseth said, "While we invest heavily in our weapon systems, platforms and gear, our most decisive tactical advantage will always be the individual warfighter."

Alongside the video announcement, Hegseth gave the title of the video as: "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 optimise your performance, your resilience and your long-term health," he added.

Hegseth said the screening programme 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 the option of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).

"This initiative... it's not about artificial enhancement; it's about restoring and optimising your natural capabilities, protecting your longevity, ensuring you have the biological foundation required to sustain and fight," Hegseth said.