The Texas Military Department recently removed seven National Guard soldiers from a deployment to Illinois after they failed to meet Army fitness and uniform standards — a move applauded by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as part of his campaign to restore what he calls “warfighter discipline.”
But as Texas tightens enforcement, critics have pointed out what they say is a double standard: in Illinois, a senior National Guard officer continues to represent the organization publicly despite years of photos and appearances showing him in uniform and appearing well outside typical Army body composition standards.
Uneven Enforcement?
The officer, Col. Timothy J. Newman of the Illinois Army National Guard, has made repeated public appearances at official events, including the ANZAC Day service and wreath-laying in Chicago on April 25, 2024. He has also been featured in photos on official pages while serving in senior leadership roles such as commander of the 108th Sustainment Brigade.
Observers have questioned how the Illinois Guard enforces fitness standards at the top while Texas removes junior enlisted and NCOs for failing to meet theirs.
We should immediately send Pete Hegseth down to Illinois to inspect these members of the Texas National Guard.
— Cctenpro (@cctenpro) October 7, 2025
If he’s gonna rail on generals being too fat, he might as well start with the enlisted man or stop feeding them Texas style barbecue 24/7😂 pic.twitter.com/otEDPn11W7
Army regulations require all soldiers — active, reserve, or Guard — to maintain standards under AR 600-9, the Army Body Composition Program. Those who exceed height and weight limits must pass a secondary body fat assessment or be enrolled in a monitored weight reduction program.
While body composition compliance cannot be determined from appearance alone, the broader issue, critics argue, is the perception of inconsistency. If Texas can remove soldiers mid-mission, why do others remain in visible command roles elsewhere under seemingly different expectations?
Hegseth’s Push for Tougher Standards
The Texas action comes amid a broader campaign by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who recently launched a 10-point initiative aimed at restoring strict grooming, uniform, and fitness standards across all branches.
Last month, Hegseth told senior military leaders that it was “unacceptable to see fat generals and admirals in the halls of the Pentagon.”
“Standards are back at the Department of War,” Hegseth wrote on X after Texas announced the removals.
The Texas Military Department echoed that sentiment, saying:
“Our standards will be high, uncompromising, and clear.”
Legal Fight Over Illinois Deployment
The Illinois deployment itself remains under legal scrutiny. The City of Chicago and the State of Illinois sued to block the deployment of Texas Guard troops ordered to the state, arguing that the mission lacked proper authorization and violated federal oversight rules.
Last week, a federal appeals court ruled that the troops can remain under federal control but cannot conduct operational activities while the case proceeds. A lower court had earlier issued a temporary restraining order blocking the deployment entirely.
As a result, Texas Guard troops remain stationed at an Army Reserve base outside Chicago, where they are training and performing administrative duties while awaiting a final ruling.
The Biden administration — and now the Hegseth-led Defense Department — are appealing aspects of the lower court’s decision, setting up a tense power struggle between federal command authority and state-level Guard autonomy.
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