THE ALASKA STORY
Sept. 19, 2026 – The War Department has issued new clinical guidelines requiring male service members age 30 and older to be screened annually for possible testosterone deficiency, part of a broader effort to improve the health and readiness of America’s fighting force.
The policy applies to thousands of military personnel stationed across Alaska, including those serving in Alaska at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Eielson Air Force Base, Fort Wainwright, and other installations.
The new policy could also affect Coast Guard members, though its application to them remains unclear. The Coast Guard operates under the Department of Homeland Security, while the new guidance comes from the Defense Health Agency. Coast Guard personnel do, however, use the shared military Periodic Health Assessment system under Coast Guard guidance. That makes it possible the screening questions will appear in annual assessments for male Coast Guard members age 30 and older. The Coast Guard has not publicly announced whether it will implement the new testosterone guidance.
Under the guidance just published this week, screening will be included in the periodic health assessment, military entrance examination or annual physical for male service members beginning at age 30.
The initial screening will consist of a structured assessment of symptoms and risk factors. Male service members younger than 30 may also be screened at their request or when a medical provider identifies a possible deficiency.
If the initial evaluation raises concerns, military medical professionals can conduct additional testing and discuss possible treatment. Options may include testosterone replacement therapy, other hormone treatments or efforts to address underlying health conditions.
The guidelines follow a July memorandum from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth directing the department to place greater emphasis on the health, physical performance and long-term resilience of individual service members.
“While we invest heavily in our weapon systems, platforms and gear, our most decisive tactical advantage will always be the individual warfighter,” Hegseth said. “We have a sacred duty to maintain that advantage, which is why we must constantly look for new ways to optimize your performance, your resilience and your long-term health.”
Hegseth emphasized that the policy is intended to treat medically identified deficiencies rather than provide performance-enhancing hormones to otherwise healthy troops.
“This initiative is not about artificial enhancement; it’s about restoring and optimizing your natural capabilities, protecting your longevity and ensuring you have the biological foundation required to sustain the fight,” he said.
Only about 23% of Americans ages 17–24 meet all military enlistment standards without a waiver. Obesity is the main issue that prevents qualification.
Roughly 1 in 3 young adults aged 17–24 exceed military weight standards. Even among those who meet weight limits, only about three-quarters report enough physical activity to be ready for basic training, leaving roughly 2 in 5 young adults both weight-eligible and adequately active, according to the CDC.
Obesity in young men is consistently associated with substantially lower testosterone, and the relationship appears causal rather than just coincidental, according to studies.
Treatment for testosterone inadequacy decisions will be made jointly by service members and their clinicians. Any hormone treatment will be monitored and adjusted by military medical professionals as necessary.
The guidelines released this week apply only to male service members. The department said screening and treatment recommendations for female service members will be covered in a separate guidance document to be released later.
Service members of any age may discuss concerns involving testosterone, hormonal imbalances or other health issues with their primary care providers at any time, according to the department.
The new guidelines and Hegseth’s earlier Health and Human Performance Optimization memorandum are part of an administration-wide focus on physical fitness and military readiness. The War Department published its implementation announcement Wednesday.
