r/politics • u/mom0nga • Jul 15 '26

No Paywall Hegseth announces annual testosterone screenings for service members

https://thehill.com/policy/defense/5969935-hegseth-testosterone-testing-dod/
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u/Indubitalist Jul 15 '26 edited Jul 15 '26

As an Army vet, we definitely don’t need more testosterone in the ranks. Too much leads to poor judgment, interpersonal conflict and unnecessary injuries and deaths. I’d be surprised if the military wasn’t already running on the high side with natural testosterone. 

Make no mistake, this is a performance-enhancing drug program. It’s eerily reminiscent of the use of amphetamines by the Nazis. I wouldn’t bring this up except that there are so many Nazi parallels these days it’s almost like the worst decisions in history are being used as an instruction manual. 

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u/SonOfMcGee Jul 15 '26

As an Army vet, would you also say that most people targeted by the U.S. military in the last 30 years have been killed by someone pressing a button in a different time zone?
My understanding of modern weapons platforms leads me to believe they’d be more efficient and accurate (and therefore lethal) if the kids operating them chilled the fuck out a little.
This feels like less of a performance-enhancing drug program and more of a PR/lifestyle/branding effort, which makes sense considering Hegseth comes off as an obnoxious man-o-sphere influencer and not a military leader.

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u/Xalara Jul 15 '26

He basically wants the US military to be like Russia's VDV. Those elite paratroopers that run around in striped uniforms with massive muscles that make fun of scrawny people. Oh yeah, the entirety of the VDV got wiped out within the first few hours of the Ukrainian War because it turns out all of that is fucking useless when it comes to being an effective soldier.

Turns out being roided out doesn't win wars, "wussy" shit like cardio for long distance endurance, pencil pushers who run the logistics network, being good at controlling drones, etc. is what wins wars. While physical strength is important, that important is dwindling when it comes to modern warfare.

But yeah, Hegseth and his fascist cohorts mostly wants the US military to be about preening and pageantry instead of actually being effective. I'm preaching to the choir, but I digress.