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Hegseth Announces Plans to Screen Testosterone Levels of Service Members Over the Age of 30

HeadlineJul 16, 2026

The Pentagon has announced plans to screen the testosterone levels of service members over the age of 30, and will offer voluntary replacement therapy to those with low T-scores. The initiative was announced Wednesday by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has branded the Pentagon as the “High-T Department of War.”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth: “I’m authorizing a new screening program for testosterone deficiency for our service members, ensuring you have the right testosterone levels to operate at your absolute best.”

The Pentagon did not say whether women would be tested or whether troops would be evaluated for other hormone deficiencies. This comes after Hegseth last year ordered a halt to all gender-affirming medical procedures for service members and removed openly transgender troops from the U.S. military.

Hegseth has previously said women should not hold combat roles, and has fired female leaders at the Pentagon, while denying others promotions.

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