Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth frames initiative as focused on “restoring and optimizing natural capabilities” of service members.
Published On 16 Jul 2026
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced a new annual testosterone screening program for military personnel aged 30 and older, to be integrated into existing yearly health assessments.
In a video message released Wednesday, Hegseth emphasized that the initiative aims to enhance the “individual warfighter” while allowing voluntary participation for those under 30. Any subsequent treatment, such as testosterone replacement therapy, would remain a personal decision, he stated.
The move aligns with ongoing Pentagon discussions about low testosterone and related protocols, following a 2025 National Defense Authorization Act requirement for the defense secretary to report to Congress on available treatments and screening practices.
According to the Mayo Clinic, testosterone levels in men decline by approximately 1% annually after age 30-40, a natural process the program seeks to address proactively.
This announcement adds to Hegseth’s broader efforts to reinforce physical fitness and military standards, including his September directives targeting grooming and weight requirements at Marine Corps Base Quantico. Democratic lawmakers, including Senator Tammy Duckworth and Representative Chrissy Houlahan, criticized the policy, suggesting it mirrors gender-affirming care and advocating for expanded screenings to address infertility rates among female service members.
