PETE HEGSETH: Apply the War Department's Golden Rule, the 1990 Test and the e6 Test then it's really hard to go wrong.

Now THAT is a mission statement https://t.co/J3tDId3Dt6

— Tom Luongo (Head Sneetch) (@TFL1728) October 1, 2025

The War on Warriors, Pete Hegseth, 2024.

With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa, E. B. Sledge, 1981.

23:34.  Weak men won't qualify because we're not playing games.  This is combat.  This is life or death. As we all know, this is you versus an enemy hell bent on killing you.  To be an effective lethal fighting force, you must trust that the warrior alongside you in battle is capable, truly physically capable, of doing what is necessary under fire. You know this is the only standard you would want for your kids and for your grandkids.  Apply the War Department's Golden Rule, the 1990 Test and the e6 Test then it's really hard to go wrong.  

Search Assistant explains the "1990 Test" for Army readiness,

The "1990 Test" refers to a proposed review by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, which aims to compare current military standards to those in place in 1990, a time when women had significantly fewer opportunities and lower physical standards in the military. Hegseth's initiative raises concerns about potentially reversing advancements made for women in combat roles and military integration since that time.

On the e6 test, Search Assistant explains again,

The E-6 test for the Army typically refer to the promotion process from E-5 to E-6, which includes earning promotion points through various categories such as the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), weapons qualification, and awards. Soldiers must accumulate enough points to meet the cutoff scores for their Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) to be eligible for promotion. 

Third, we are attacking and ending the "Walking on eggs shells" and zero defect command culture.  A risk averse culture means officers risk execute not to lose instead of to win.  A risk averse culture means NCOs are not empowered to enforce standards. Commanders and NCOs don't take necessary risks or make tough adjustments for fear of rocking the boat or making a mistake.  A blemish free record is what peacetime leaders covet the most, which is the worst of all incentives.