The Pentagon will require male service members ages 30 and older to be screened for testosterone deficiency as part of regular health assessments. The military announced the new screening requirement on Wednesday, with follow-up treatment available for those diagnosed with hypogonadism.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called for the change over the summer, having previously announced the military would be introducing mandatory testosterone screening two and a half months prior in a social media video titled "The High-T Department of War." The Defense Health Agency released a set of clinical guidelines for the tests to implement the directive. The guidelines call for screenings and blood tests for active-duty troops and reservists ages 30 and over. These screenings will take place during service members' regular health assessments.

Male service members under the age of 30 will be offered optional annual screenings. The guidelines also call for female service members to be asked if they have any symptoms of hormonal dysregulation and referred for further assessment if needed. Service members diagnosed with hypogonadism will receive follow-up screenings and treatment, including testosterone replacement therapy if needed.

Hegseth addressed the nature of the medical intervention in his public communications. "This initiative, it's not about artificial enhancement. It's about restoring and optimizing your natural capabilities, protecting your longevity and ensuring you have the biological foundation required to sustain the fight," Hegseth said.

He added that receiving treatment remains voluntary for personnel. "It's entirely your choice to receive testosterone replacement therapy," Hegseth said.

The Defense Department stated its goal is to "invest in the health of its warfighters, strengthen their performance, and maximize force readiness." The guidance warns that service members may be particularly at risk of decreased testosterone due to the demands of their roles. Some studies indicate that service members in high-stress roles, including members of the Special Operations Forces, face an especially high risk of hormone issues and other medical conditions, a condition researchers have called "Operator Syndrome." The Special Operations Forces are military units trained to conduct special operations.

Theodore Crisostomo-Wynne, an Army Major and Madigan Army Center urologist, provided context on the physiological impacts of service. "The high operations tempo and high stress that these service members go through can actually decrease testosterone, sometimes acutely and sometimes even in the long term," Crisostomo-Wynne said. He noted that the phenomenon may be linked to the "chronic stress, blast exposure, traumatic brain injuries and sleep disruptions" that some service members face.

Why It Matters

The mandate establishes a standardized approach to monitoring hormonal health across the armed forces, targeting a demographic identified as vulnerable to stress-induced physiological changes. By integrating these screenings into regular assessments, the Defense Health Agency aims to address potential performance degradation linked to low testosterone levels before it affects operational capability.

The policy distinguishes between mandatory screening and voluntary treatment, emphasizing restoration of natural biological function rather than enhancement. This distinction aligns with the department's stated objective of maximizing force readiness while maintaining individual autonomy regarding medical interventions such as testosterone replacement therapy.

Timeline

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the Pentagon will institute annual testosterone deficiency screenings for all service members ages 30 and older, effective immediately, according to a memorandum signed by Hegseth on July 15, 2026.

What's New

The Pentagon is headquarters of the United States Department of Defense; named after the shape of the building, a polygon with five (greek: penta) sides. The Defense Health Agency is a military unit responsible for the clinical guidelines. Special Operations Forces is military units trained to conduct special operations.