Pentagon resumes mandatory testosterone testing for older service members

The Pentagon has moved ahead with a policy of mandatory testosterone testing for US service members aged 30 and older, after pausing an earlier version of the plan in September. New guidelines released on Friday set out uniform screening standards and treatment pathways for testosterone deficiencies. The policy applies only to male service members, while younger personnel may request testing if they want.

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The measure was first announced in July by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who said it was intended to identify possible testosterone deficiency and help soldiers operate at their "absolute best". A Pentagon release quoted him as saying the policy is about "restoring and optimising your natural capabilities, protecting your longevity and ensuring you have the biological foundation required to sustain the fight". The department said testing will take place during periodic health assessments and annual evaluations.

Medical experts have criticised the programme as unnecessary and warned that testosterone injections could create health risks, including infertility, if used incorrectly. The Pentagon paused the policy earlier in September to allow for updates, before now bringing it back with revised guidance. The move has also drawn attention because it aligns with a broader interest among online podcasters and health influencers who have promoted testosterone injections as a route to greater health and muscle mass.

The decision comes amid a wider push by the Trump administration to reshape military policy around readiness and discipline. Critics say some of those changes have imported culture-war issues into the armed forces, while supporters argue they are aimed at improving performance. The administration has already banned transgender service members, rolled back protections intended to minimise civilian harm in military operations, and removed military officials seen as out of step with its priorities.

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The new testing rules are likely to be watched closely because they affect a large part of the force and touch on questions of medical privacy, fitness standards and military readiness. They also place the Pentagon in the middle of a debate over how far health screening should go in assessing combat capability. The policy's practical impact will depend on how the screening and treatment pathways are applied in routine service settings.

What remains unclear is how many service members may be flagged by the testing, how treatment decisions will be made, and whether the policy will face further internal or legal challenge. It is also not clear how the Pentagon will address the concerns raised by medical experts about possible side effects. The next developments will likely focus on implementation, compliance and any response from military personnel or advocacy groups.

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