FORT CAVAZOS, Texas — Army Staff Sgt. Tyler Hogue, a self-described fitness enthusiast and powerlifter assigned to Headquarters Support Company, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion (HHBN), III Armored Corps, is under fire on social media after suggesting in a recent TikTok that soldiers who fail to meet height and weight standards—or pass the Army Physical Fitness Test—should face pay cuts.
Hogue, who frequently posts under the handle @SavedNotSoft, uploaded the now-viral video on July 27. It quickly racked up more than 30,000 views and sparked heated debate among soldiers, veterans, and civilians. Critics called his take “toxic,” “poor leadership,” and indicative of a lack of real-world experience.
@saved.not.softt #Army #Miltok ♬ original sound – saved not soft
“This is a terrible leadership take. You get rated for their PT! You are the first line supervisor. You are the team leader,” commented one user, who identified as a fellow noncommissioned officer.
Another added:
“Leadership doesn’t mean you get lazy. They should be the sparkling example.”
While some agreed that physical fitness should remain a core expectation for service members, many argued that punishing troops financially would create a hostile and counterproductive environment—especially coming from someone in a leadership position.
Critics didn’t stop at the idea itself. Several TikTok users also questioned Hogue’s credentials, pointing out his lack of deployment experience and lack of expert or combat-related badges.
“Soldiers with a patch on both shoulders should make more,” one user wrote, referencing the combat patch that denotes service in a deployed environment.
Hogue, seemingly unbothered, replied with a flat “Ok good for you,” and “Haven’t had the opportunity!” when called out on his lack of deployments.
Promoting Fitness or Promoting Division?
Despite the backlash, Hogue has made efforts to promote physical fitness within his unit. On March 19, 2025, he organized the first annual HHBN Powerlifting Competition at the III Armored Corps headquarters gym on Fort Cavazos. The event, designed to boost morale and encourage healthy competition, tested soldiers’ one-rep max on the bench press, deadlift, and squat.
According to Army public affairs, the competition was created to “build morale, encourage PT, and foster healthy competition” among soldiers—goals aligned with Hogue’s personal emphasis on strength training and fitness.
A Divisive Voice in Uniform
Hogue’s TikTok account includes a disclaimer that it “does not represent the DoD,” but that hasn’t stopped it from drawing criticism for what some say is a reflection of deeper issues in military leadership culture—namely, toxic leadership cloaked in the guise of high standards.
One veteran wrote:
“Being that shining perfect example while not being a toxic leader is what most of us Vets would have wanted. He isn’t wrong here.”
Still, many are calling for more accountability when it comes to how leaders communicate expectations and represent the Army online—especially when posting in uniform or addressing controversial topics.
The Bigger Picture
This incident is the latest in a string of controversies involving service members using social media to push personal opinions that challenge Army values or leadership standards. As the line between personal and professional continues to blur, soldiers like Hogue find themselves navigating the unpredictable waters of social media, where even a well-meaning message can quickly turn into a public relations minefield.
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