Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth summoned hundreds of U.S. military officials to an in-person meeting to announce directives for troops that include “gender-neutral” or “male-level”

Experts say the scale of the gathering, the haste with which it was called and the mystery surrounding it are particularly unusual.

Military strength has always been one of the clearest measures of national power. While economic influence and diplomacy shape a country’s role in the world, the ability to defend its borders and project force abroad remains a decisive factor in global affairs.

USA-TRUMP-MILITARY:Hegseth slams 'fat generals,' says U.S. officers should resign if they don't support his agenda

Hegseth has championed the military’s role in securing the U.S.-Mexico border, deploying to American cities as part of Trump’s law enforcement surges, and carrying out strikes on boats in the Caribbean that the administration says targeted drug traffickers.

The US President and defence secretary Peter Hegseth were speaking to a special assembly of senior military officers.