BROKEN WINDOWS AT THE PENTAGON:

Hegseth denounced the erosion of standards and distraction from warfighting caused by DEI directives and unnecessary training. Having already eliminated the former at the very beginning of his term, Hegseth order the reduction of mandatory training from twenty-seven to sixteen courses and rescinded 350 hours of online modules required for promotion.

In its place, the secretary promised the “ruthless, dispassionate and common sense application” of the newly mandated fitness and grooming standards.

In particular, Hegseth elaborated on his two criteria for reinstituting past standards — the E-6 and 1990 tests.

Under the former, if a proposed change enables E-6s (or O-3s) “to get back to basics”, then the change is justified.

Under the latter, if a standard was in existence in 1990 and was modified for reasons other than changes to the battlefield, then the original is reinstated.

Curiously, Hegseth acknowledged he had no specific rationale for picking 1990 – “seems to be as good a place to start as any.”

Broken Windows Theory provides a clue.

Read the whole thing.