What happened
US War Secretary Pete Hegseth has been posting videos of himself doing physical training with troops, which has led to criticism and mockery of his fitness level. However, according to an opinion piece, this criticism misses the point of Hegseth's actions. The author argues that Hegseth is not trying to prove his physical prowess, but rather to show that he is willing to participate and be with the troops.
Hegseth recently joined Marines from the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing for a workout at the Miramar Sports Complex in San Diego, which included push-ups, pull-ups, and other exercises. Some critics have posted videos claiming that Hegseth is struggling to finish the workouts, but the author notes that military calisthenics are designed to push soldiers to their limits and induce failure in a safe environment.
The author also shares a personal anecdote about their father, a 44-year-old captain in the US Army Reserve, who was able to outrun younger soldiers despite being older. The author argues that it is expected for younger soldiers to be faster and stronger than older leaders, and that Hegseth's willingness to participate in physical training with troops is what matters, not his physical abilities.
