SECRETARY OF WAR PETE HEGSETH: MANDATORY TESTOSTERONE CHECKS FOR MILITARY MEMBERS OVER THE AGE OF 30
- Michael Thervil
- 8 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Written by Michael Thervil
[PETE HEGSETH MANDATORY MILITARY TESTOSTERONE CHECKS] Yesterday U.S. secretary of war Pete Hegseth, announced to the American public that all male U.S. Military members over the age of 30 will have to get their testosterone level checked on an annual basis. The reason cited by Secretary Hegseth for the mandatory testosterone screening from male military members is because he wants to “restore and optimize … natural capabilities of troops.” He also stated that male military members under the age of 30 will have the opportunity to opt in if they so choose. It was reported that if the military member is found to have low testosterone levels, then they would have to undergo testosterone replacement therapy to maintain the military fitness and readiness standards.
Secretary Hegseth made sure to address the accusation that he was trying to "artificially enhance male soldiers", stating “It’s about restoring and optimizing your natural capabilities, protecting your longevity, ensuring you have the biological foundation required to sustain the fight.” While it's true that testosterone levels in men tend to decline roughly one percent every year after the age of 30, many people show concerns about long term effects of testosterone replacement therapy. Some of the long-term risks of testosterone replacement therapy are elevated red blood cell counts (increasing clot risks), sleep apnea worsening, potential prostate growth (increases the growth of existing cancer), skin irritation, testicular shrinkage, and infertility.
Many detractors of Secretary Pete Hegseth plan to make it mandatory to screen and treat naturally occurring declining testosterone levels in male U.S. Military service members feel as if the controversial move is short sighted. Questions such as will the Veterans Affairs (VA) continue to provide testosterone replacement theory for service members once their time in service is complete? Another question some detractors are asking is what will happen to all the senior military official members such as majors, Colonels, and generals who tend to be much older? Will they be subject to Secretary Hegseth's newly implemented plan? How will it affect them in the long run?
For the detractors of Secretary Pete Hegseth, the notion of “laugh now cry later” seems to apply.
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