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U.S. President Donald Trump departs after addressing about 800 generals during a commanders’ meeting at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia on September 30. / Source: AFP-Yonhap

U.S. President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pledged Tuesday to dismantle what they called a culture of “political correctness” and “woke ideology” in the armed forces, vowing to restore a strict system of meritocracy.

Speaking at a commanders’ meeting with about 800 generals at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia, Trump said the military would no longer tolerate promotions based on political or diversity criteria. “We will pick the people who can do the job best—period. It’s very simple,” he said.

“The United States was built on merit, but for too long we moved away from it,” Trump added. “The mission of our military is not to protect feelings but to defend the republic we love.” He vowed the armed forces would become “a fighting and winning machine.”

Trump also defended renaming the Pentagon the “War Department,” calling it a reaffirmation of its mission and identity. He likened military meritocracy to the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling that struck down affirmative action in college admissions, saying, “You can’t run a country this way.”

Hegseth, who spoke before Trump, declared that the “era of woke leadership is over.” He promised stricter physical standards across all branches, with all service members required to meet the “highest male standard” for fitness, weight, and discipline. “If you can’t meet the requirements, you’re out,” he said.

He denounced past Pentagon diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies as misguided, citing the expansion of LGBTQ rights, female combat roles, and even “green fleets” and vaccine mandates. “We are warriors,” he said. “The age of political correctness and overly cautious leadership is finished.”

Since taking office, Hegseth has dismissed 14 senior commanders, including Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Charles Brown, Navy Chief Adm. Lisa Franchetti, and Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan.

“The War Department’s mission is simple,” Hegseth concluded. “If you want peace, prepare for war.”