Pentagon Limits 1,200 White House UFC Tickets to Troops Under 0.55 Fitness Ratio

11 articles · Updated · CNN · May 29

Internal Pentagon memos say uniformed service members offered seats at next month’s White House UFC event must meet a waist-to-height ratio below 0.55 and pass service-specific fitness tests.
The guidance ties ticket eligibility to the Defense Department’s new body-composition standard, reflecting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s push to measure “warfighting readiness” through stricter fitness rules.
Commanders were also told to prioritize genuine UFC fans and focus on junior enlisted troops and junior officers; attendees are expected to pay their own travel even though tickets are free.
Defense officials told CNN the screening is also about optics, with senior leaders signaling that troops visible on camera should “look good” during Trump’s made-for-TV event.
The selection process echoes earlier criticism of tightly managed Trump troop appearances, including a Fort Bragg visit where soldiers were reportedly handpicked for politics and appearance.

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