US Defense Secretary Orders Testosterone Screening for Troops Over 30

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced Wednesday a mandatory screening program for testosterone deficiency for all U.S. service members aged 30 and older ^[1].

The initiative marks a significant shift in military health policy by tying hormonal levels directly to operational readiness and combat performance. By institutionalizing these screenings, the Department of Defense is treating testosterone levels as a critical metric of a soldier's physical capability.

Hegseth said the program is designed to ensure service members have the right testosterone levels to operate at their absolute best ^[1]. He said the military owes its warriors the absolute best medical care in the world and that this program delivers on that obligation ^[2].

Under the new guidelines, soldiers over 30 will be required to have their testosterone levels measured yearly ^[3]. While the screening itself is mandatory, the subsequent treatment is not. Service members will be given the option to try hormone-replacement therapy if their results indicate a deficiency ^[3].

The Secretary said the program is necessary for the pursuit of peak performance for those in the field ^[2]. The mandatory nature of the testing ensures that deficiency is identified across the force, regardless of whether an individual soldier recognizes symptoms of low testosterone.

This policy targets a specific demographic within the military, focusing on personnel who have reached the age threshold of 30 ^[1]. The yearly frequency of the tests suggests the Department of Defense views hormonal health as a dynamic variable that requires constant monitoring to maintain readiness ^[3].