Summary of Key Points
The U.S. military has announced mandatory testosterone level tests for soldiers over the age of 30, with those who have low testosterone levels being able to opt for hormone supplementation voluntarily. Behind this move is Defense Secretary James Mattis' attempt to reverse what he views as the "effeminate" issues resulting from military diversification, hoping that testosterone supplementation will make soldiers more masculine. However, the article points out that external testosterone supplementation can disrupt the body's natural balance: it inhibits the testes' own production of testosterone and converts androgens into estrogens, leading to feminization in soldiers. Moreover, modern warfare does not rely solely on physical strength, making this approach a Band-Aid solution that, similar to the gender transformation initiatives pursued by Democrats, could turn the U.S. military into a "drug-dependent force."
I. The Background of the Military's Testosterone Checks: Confronting Diversification
Why has Mattis suddenly focused on soldiers' testosterone levels? It's because he disapproves of the gender diversification efforts implemented by the previous Democratic administration, such as allowing transgender individuals to become four-star generals and soldiers to undergo estrogen therapy for gender transition. He believes that the military is losing its masculinity, and even after removing a group of individuals who did not conform to traditional masculine norms, he still feels that soldiers lack sufficient physical strength and morale. Therefore, he aims to "masculinize" soldiers through testosterone testing and hormone supplementation, seeking to restore what he considers a "steel-like will." In essence, this is a ideological battleground between the two parties regarding the military's values.
II. What is Testosterone? Can Supplementation Really Make Soldiers More Aggressive?
Testosterone is a sex hormone produced by the body, with two primary functions: it promotes protein synthesis, which can help build muscle when combined with exercise (which is why many people who work out in gyms use testosterone supplements), and it maintains male secondary sexual characteristics such as a thick beard and a deep voice. However, there's a crucial caveat: in a natural state, humans cannot naturally develop the muscular physique of someone like Arnold Schwarzenegger because the body prioritizes supplying energy to the brain rather than wasting energy on building muscle (excessive muscle mass increases energy consumption, which could have been detrimental in ancient times when food was scarce). To overcome this limitation, one must rely on external testosterone supplementation.
III. The Pitfalls of Testosterone Supplementation: Increasing Feminization and Irreversibility
Mattis has made a serious mistake by thinking that testosterone supplementation will make soldiers more masculine; in reality, it's like trying to quench thirst with poison. The human body is an interconnected system, and external hormones can cause the body to become dependent on them. For example, if you regularly take testosterone supplements, your body will stop producing its own testosterone, leading to testicular atrophy over time, making it impossible to produce testosterone naturally again. Ironically, excess androgens are converted into estrogens in the liver. Many fitness influencers who use such supplements exhibit feminizing side effects, such as enlarged breasts and more delicate skin, which makes them appear more feminine.
IV. Does Modern Warfare Rely on Muscle? The Direction Is Completely Wrong
Mattis might have been influenced by too many fitness videos, assuming that larger muscles make soldiers more combat-effective. But modern warfare does not primarily rely on physical strength; what's needed are soldiers with discipline, resilience, intelligence (to operate weapons and understand tactics), and endurance (for prolonged missions)—none of which are directly related to muscle size. In fact, excessive muscle can be a disadvantage, as it reduces flexibility and increases energy consumption, making it difficult for soldiers to perform basic tasks effectively on the battlefield. Humans did not evolve to have large muscles because they are not practical; Mattis is applying outdated strategies from the era of cold weapons.
V. The Same End Result: A "Drug-Dependent Force" Regardless of Party
The Democratic and Republican parties, through their respective initiatives (gender transformation and hormone supplementation), are both altering soldiers' physiques with drugs, ultimately damaging their reproductive functions (testicular atrophy or infertility). The article humorously suggests that the future U.S. military could end up resembling the "Unborn Children" from "Game of Thrones"—both estrogen and testosterone supplementation can cripple soldiers' biological capabilities. Both parties are using medical interventions to shape the military, leading to a similar outcome: a force that is less capable due to the damage to its physiological functions.
The core satire of this article is that the two U.S. political parties are using soldiers as guinea pigs in their ideological battles, relying on drug-based modifications rather than genuine military development, resulting in a military that becomes more "abnormal" rather than stronger.