Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Wednesday that the Department of Defense will implement a new screening program for testosterone deficiency among service members aged 30 and older, marking another policy shift aligned with his emphasis on physical readiness.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth during the press conference at the NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey, on July 8, 2026. (Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
NurPhoto via Getty Images
In a video message, Hegseth stated he is “authorizing a new screening program for testosterone deficiency for our service members ensuring you have the right testosterone to operate at your absolute best.” The screening will be incorporated into annual health assessments for soldiers 30 and over, while younger personnel may opt in voluntarily.
Hegseth emphasized that any recommended testosterone replacement therapy would be entirely optional. “This is not about artificial enhancement,” he said, “but about restoring and optimizing your natural capabilities, protecting your longevity, ensuring you have the biological foundation required to sustain the fight and keeping you on the leading edge of lethality.” The announcement did not explicitly address whether the program applies to female service members, who comprise roughly 17% of the active-duty force.
Hegseth captioned the video posted to X, “The High-T Department of War.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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