In a significant initiative to promote physical fitness among service members, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, alongside Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert Kennedy Jr., has launched the “Pete and Bobby Challenge.” This fitness initiative debuted at the Pentagon during a unique event termed a “fitness check.”
The event featured six teams from different branches of the military, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Marine Corps. Each team was tasked with completing 50 pull-ups and 100 push-ups in under ten minutes. Hegseth kicked off the competition, emphasizing its spirited nature by stating, “We’re going to have a little fun today… a little competition between departments.” He reiterated the importance of physical fitness, noting that it plays a crucial role in the effectiveness and readiness of service members.
Hegseth articulated a clear vision: “We’re going to be fit, not fat.” He expressed concern about service members’ physical appearance and capability to perform job requirements. Alongside fitness, he identified proper nutrition as another key to developing a robust fighting force. Together with Secretary Kennedy, the Department of Defense is exploring pilot programs aimed at improving the quality of food available to troops.
During the event, Kennedy pointed out that a staggering 78% of young Americans are ineligible for military service, often due to failing physical fitness standards. He urged younger Americans to embrace fitness as a pathway to eligibility and self-improvement. Hegseth showcased his own endurance by completing the challenge in about five and a half minutes, with Kennedy closely following at 71 years old.
This challenge aligns with Kennedy’s ongoing efforts to promote the “Make America Healthy Again” movement. Earlier this year, a Presidential Executive Order established the “Make America Healthy Again Commission,” aimed at addressing the decline in health among the American populace, especially children. Hegseth’s commitment is equally clear: he aims to ensure that the military remains the fittest and most capable force in defense of the nation.
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