Pentagon requires testosterone-deficiency screening for male service members 30 and older, citing concerns about military readiness

The Trump administration is treating testosterone deficiency as a potential threat to military readiness, with Pentagon guidelines issued in September requiring screening for male service members aged 30 and older. Adm. Brian Christine, a senior Department of Health and Human Services official, told Fox News Digital that decades-long declines in testosterone levels have direct implications for national defense and military capabilities. The initiative comes amid concerns about the health of American men and a shrinking pool of eligible recruits.

Christine warned that 77 percent of Americans aged 17 to 24 do not qualify for military service without a waiver. He also said more than 70 percent of young men are ineligible because of factors including obesity and chronic disease, while only about 3 percent express interest in serving.

The screening process begins with assessments of symptoms, with potential medical pathways for those affected. Administration officials stressed that the initiative is intended to screen and support troops with symptoms, not force them into treatment.

In a separate interview with Fox News Digital, National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya pointed to declining sperm counts and said potential environmental causes behind these multi-decade trends need to be investigated. The Defense Health Agency is developing separate hormonal health guidance for female service members.