United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth addressed military leaders in Quantico, Virginia, Tuesday, where he began his speech by noting the recent name change of the agency he oversees, declaring, “The era of the Department of Defense is over.”

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His remarks highlighted the Trump administration’s efforts to eliminate the infiltration of progressive ideology in the U.S. armed forces as he defended reinstituting standards based on merit and made multiple references to God and Christianity.

Here are five highlights from Hegseth’s address.

1. Hegseth condemns ‘woke garbage’: ‘We are done with that s—’ 

“This administration has done a great deal from day one to remove the social justice, politically correct and toxic ideological garbage that had infected our department, to rip out the politics,” Hegseth said, insisting that there would be “no more identity months, DEI offices, dudes in dresses.”

“No more climate change worship. No more division, distraction or gender delusions. No more debris,” he added. “As I’ve said before, and will say again, we are done with that s—. I’ve made it my mission to uproot the obvious distractions that made us less capable and less lethal.”

Hegseth touched upon what he denounced as “woke garbage” later in his speech as he reaffirmed to military leaders, “You are not civilians” because “you are set apart for a distinct purpose.” He also encouraged leaders in the armed forces “stop acting and thinking like civilians,” lamenting that “an entire generation of generals and admirals” were forced to follow “civilian policies set by foolish and reckless political leaders.”

“They had to put out dizzying DEI and LGBTQI+ statements. They were told females and males are the same thing, or that males who think they’re females are totally normal. They were told that we need a green fleet and electric tanks. They were told to kick out Americans who refused an emergency vaccine,” he recalled.

2. Hegseth defends physical fitness, appearance standards: ‘We don’t have a military full of Nordic pagans’

In addition to deriding “woke garbage,” Hegseth unveiled what he described as “the War Department Golden Rule.”

After detailing how “Jesus said, ‘Do unto others that which you would have done unto yourself,’” Hegseth identified the “War Department Golden Rule” as “Do unto your unit as you would have done unto your own child’s unit.”

“Would you want him serving with fat or unfit or under-trained troops? Or alongside people who can’t meet basic standards? Or in a unit where standards were lowered so certain types of troops could make it in? In a unit where leaders were promoted for reasons other than merit, performance and war fighting?” he asked.

“Standards must be uniform, gender neutral and high,” he added, noting that, going forward, “Every member of the joint force at every rank is required to take a PT test twice a year as well as meet height and weight requirements twice a year.”

“No more beards, long hair, superficial individual expression. We’re going to cut our hair, shave our beards and adhere to standards,” he vowed. “Because it’s like the broken windows theory of policing. It’s like when you let the small stuff go, the big stuff eventually goes. So you have to address the small stuff. This is on duty in the field and in the rear. If you want a beard, you can join Special Forces. If not, then shave. We don’t have a military full of Nordic pagans.”

3. Those who oppose changes can resign; Hegseth vows to make personnel changes

Hegseth repeatedly encouraged military leaders opposed to the changes the Trump administration is making to resign. Building upon his defense of standards for physical fitness and appearance, the secretary declared, “If you do not meet the male-level physical standards for combat positions, cannot pass a PT test or don’t want to shave and look professional, it’s time for a new position or a new profession.”

“I have fired a number of senior officers since taking over: the previous chairman, other members of the Joint Chiefs, combatant commanders and other commanders,” he 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.”

Hegseth suggested that more personnel changes were on the way as he contrasted recent military leaders with those revered for winning wars throughout American history: “Out with the Chiarellis, the McKenzies and the Milleys and in with the Stockdales, the Schwarzkopfs and the Pattons. More leadership changes will be made. Of that, I’m certain.”

Hegseth also had a stern message for those opposed to his philosophy: “If the words I’m speaking today are making your hearts sink, then you should do the honorable thing and resign. We would thank you for your service.”

4. ‘Today is another Liberation Day’ 

Summarizing his speech, Hegseth declared, “Today is another Liberation Day” — a term also used by President Donald Trump to describe his administration’s new trade policy.

He added that his address was to commemorate “the liberation of America’s warriors in name, in deed and in authorities.”

“You kill people and break things for a living. You are not politically correct and don’t necessarily belong always in polite society. We are not an army of one,” he added. “We are a joint force of millions of selfless Americans. We are warriors. We are purpose-built, not for fair weather, blue skies or calm seas. We were built to load up in the back of helicopters, five tons or Zodiacs in the dead of night, in fair weather or foul, to go to dangerous places, to find those who would do our nation harm.”

Hegseth added that, following “Liberation Day,” there would be “no more politically correct and overbearing rules of engagement,” but rather “common sense, maximum lethality and authority for war fighters.” He identified the underlying philosophy of the Department of War as to “unleash overwhelming and punishing violence on the enemy” and to “untie the hands of our war fighters to intimidate, demoralize, hunt and kill the enemies of our country.”

“Lethality is our calling card and victory our only acceptable end state,” he said.

5. Hegseth concludes speech with Christian prayer

As Hegseth’s speech drew to a close, he mentioned that he had “recited a commander’s prayer” at a monthly Pentagon Christian Prayer Service. Describing the prayer as “a simple yet meaningful prayer for wisdom for commanders and leaders,” at the end of it, he said: “And most of all, Lord, please keep my soldiers safe. Lead them, guide them, protect them, watch over them. And as you gave all of yourself for me, help me give all of myself for them.”

“I have prayed this prayer many times since I’ve had the privilege of being your secretary,” he added, vowing, “I will continue to pray this prayer for each of you as you command and lead our nation’s finest. Go forth and do good things, hard things.”

The Christian prayer wasn’t the only reference to God and Christianity in the speech. He also praised the military leaders as “Americans who made a choice, when they were young men and young women, to do something most Americans will not — to serve something greater than yourself, to fight for God and country, for freedom and the Constitution.”

He also characterized members of the armed forces as “precious souls made in the image and likeness of God.”

What do you think of these highlights? Share your thoughts and prayers below.

This article was originally published at The Christian Post. Photo Credit: DoW photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Aiko Bongolan)