Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth reiterated on Tuesday that he is more aligned with the rank-and-file service members than the leaders he’s now tasked to work with after working out with troops in Germany on Tuesday.

The secretary posted photos of himself deadlifting and running alongside the 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) with the caption, “Strength equals readiness. kicked off the day with [physical training] alongside the warriors,” and he added, “No bureaucracy—just sharp minds, strong bodies, and a mission-first mindset.”

The secretary told reporters later, “It’s not that long ago that I was right there with them.”

“I probably connect more with those guys than I do with four-star generals,” Hegseth added. “But now I get the chance of working with four stars and others who are committed to the troops, but when I can get down, do push-ups and deadlifts with the troops and just hear from them.”

Since being nominated to serve as secretary of defense, the former Fox News personality has repeatedly described himself as a war-fighter like the rank-and-file military service members as opposed to senior military leaders whom he has frequently derided.

“It’s a reminder that the press in Washington might think I’m young, but in military terms, I’m old, and that showed this morning with these young guys who ran circles around me,” he added.

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Hegseth is not the first secretary to work out with troops, though he is closer in age to the rank and file than many of his predecessors.

Last week, in a town hall to military personnel, he said, “I would much rather talk to troops than go to cocktail parties. That’s my job.”