US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has unleashed an anti-woke crackdown in the American military - and has announced a host of new measures in a bid to raise standards.

Addressing an extraordinary gathering of top US generals and admirals in Virginia on Tuesday, Mr Hegseth slammed "foolish and reckless political leaders" for overseeing a decline in physical standards in his country's armed forces in recent years.

President Donald Trump's War Secretary also said the era of the military being the "woke department" is over.

Mr Hegseth told the assembly: “The era of politically correct, overly sensitive, don’t-hurt-anyone’s-feelings leadership ends right now at every level."

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has declared war on wokeness within the American military

He added that were will be "no more identity months, DEI offices, dudes in dresses, no more climate change worship, no more division, distraction or gender delusion, no more debris.

"I’ve said before and will say again, we are done with that s***."

The War Secretary also announced tougher physical standards for US troops, adding that the standard of fitness in the military must ensure soldiers are equipped to overcome "life and death" situations.

The new standards will see those serving partake in “real hard” physical training daily, alongside completing two tests annually to ensure that troops were up to the "highest male standard."

He added that if weaker men and women are not able to make the grade, “so be it".

Mr Hegseth told the assembly: 'The era of politically correct, overly sensitive, don’t-hurt-anyone’s-feelings leadership ends right now'

Mr Hegseth said: “Frankly, it’s tiring to look out at combat formations - and frankly any formations - and see fat troops.

“It’s unacceptable to see fat generals and admirals in the halls of the Pentagon, and leading all around the world.

“I don’t want my son serving alongside troops who are out of shape, or in combat units with females who can’t meet the same combat arms physical standards as men, or troops who are not fully proficient on their assigned weapons platformer tasks, or under a leader who was ‘the first’ but not ‘the best'."

The War Secretary also told top brass that grooming standards for troops would be raised.

The new-look US military will now prohibit soldiers from growing long hair and beards.

Mr Hegseth said: "The era of unprofessional appearance is over. No more beardos.

"We don't have a military full of Nordic pagans, but unfortunately, we have had leaders who either refuse to call BS and enforce standards or leaders who felt like they were not allowed to enforce standards."

Since entering into the role in January, Mr Hegseth has fired a wave of top military officials who he said were appointed based on previous DEI measures within the department.

President Donald Trump said that the sweeping new reforms will help to 'protect our country'

Those axed include former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Charles Brown and the ex-Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti.

Explaining his decision to fire the so-called DEI hires, Mr Hegseth said: “The rationale for me has been straightforward: It’s nearly impossible to change a culture with the same people who helped create or even benefited from that culture, even if that culture was created by a previous president and previous secretary.”

The War Secretary promised "more leadership changes" will be coming in the coming months.

President Donald Trump, meanwhile, said that the sweeping new reforms will help to "protect our country".