1A 'If You Can Keep It': Trump’s New Vision For The Military
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Oct 6, 2025 Tara Kopp, a Pentagon reporter at The Washington Post, joins retired Army Major General Randy Manor and Cori Schalke, former Defense Department official, to discuss unsettling shifts in U.S. military policies. They dive into proposed changes questioning women's fitness for combat and the implications of military training in U.S. cities. The trio addresses troubling rhetoric about 'enemies within', overly broad powers, and the chilling effect on reporting harassment. Their insights reveal significant concerns for both active duty and civilian populations.
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Quantico Meeting Was Politicized
- The Quantico meeting was an unprecedented, politicized event that risked wasting money and endangering personnel.
- Randy Manor called it a theatrical political stunt that misread military norms and provoked the president's reaction.
Fitness Standards Are Role-Based
- Hegseth's call for a 'male standard' provoked anger because combat standards are typically role-based and gender-neutral.
- Tara Kopp explained services already adapt tests to job requirements and have multiple fitness tiers.
Grooming Changes Impact Black Troops
- New grooming and shaving rules target recognition of a painful medical condition affecting many Black servicemembers.
- Tara Kopp noted the policy gives a year to address the condition or face separation, raising equity concerns.
