Hegseth announces Pentagon plan for testosterone screening of soldiers over 30

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a new Pentagon program that will conduct mandatory annual testosterone screening for service members aged 30 and older, aiming to combat deficiency that can undermine health and optimize performance. Troops younger than 30 will have the option to volunteer for testing, and any recommended testosterone replacement therapy will be voluntary.

Hegseth stated the screening is based on the science that testosterone levels often drop with age and that the therapy aims to ensure troops operate at their "absolute best." The initiative comes amid scrutiny of drug use within elite military units, including Navy SEALs. While the Pentagon did not provide specific research underpinning the decision or clarify if female troops would be evaluated for hormone therapy, the announcement aligns with a broader push to make testosterone therapies more accessible, with the Food and Drug Administration recently proposing to ease prescribing limits.

The move has drawn criticism from opposition Democrats, who have pointed to the ban on transgender service members, with some calling the initiative a form of gender-affirming care.