Secretary Hegseth lashes out after Army drops proposed SAT floor for ROTC cadets

In early August, the Army’s manpower office proposed new academic benchmarks for ROTC candidates, including a mandatory SAT score of 1000, to filter out poorly qualified future officers. The policy, outlined in a memo from Jules Hurst, was slated to take effect in January but was rescinded on Aug. 12 by under secretary Mike Obadal, who said additional staffing and analysis were required. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth publicly condemned the reversal, arguing that higher standards are essential for a capable officer corps.

Sources indicated that Army Secretary Dan Driscoll was not consulted and was absent from the email chain that circulated the original proposal. Military officials noted that all other service branches already enforce minimum test scores for ROTC commissions, making the Army’s lack of such a rule unusual. Hegseth has also advocated for tighter fitness and grooming standards, targeting what he calls “fat generals” and “beardos.” The episode highlights ongoing tension between senior defense officials amid the broader context of the Iran war.