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The Pentagon will test troops for low testosterone. It’s not as strange as it might seem
Summary by The El Paso Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Stacker , KVIA ABC-7
· July 21, 2026
· 5 min read
When Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on July 15 that the military will start screening service members for low testosterone, he framed it as a way to keep troops “strong, resilient, and capable.” Under the new plan, active-duty, National Guard, and Reserve members aged 30 and older will ...
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The El Paso Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Stacker, KVIA ABC-7 Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 21, 2026 Indexed here Jul 21, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway Data suggests troops may support the idea: In a 2022 Hone Health survey of 400 veterans and active service members diagnosed with low testosterone , 86% said they thought the military should do testing to establish baseline hormone levels .
Why this matters in The El Paso
The Pentagon's decision to test troops for low testosterone has significant implications for El Paso, home to Fort Bliss, one of the largest military bases in the country. With a substantial number of active-duty, National Guard, and Reserve members living and serving in the area, the new policy will likely affect many local service members. The testing will not only help identify and address low testosterone levels in troops but also provide valuable insights into the long-term effects of military service on hormone levels. As Dr. Joshua Calvert notes, testosterone is a key biomarker for understanding how military service changes a man's body over time. For El Paso, this means that local healthcare providers and veterans' support services may need to be prepared to address related health issues, such as decreased energy and mobility, which can impact a service member's ability to reintegrate into civilian life after discharge.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 21, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? When Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on July 15 that the military will start screening service members for low testosterone, he framed it as a way to keep troops “strong, resilient, and capable.” Under the new plan, active-duty, National Guard, and Reserve members aged 30 and older will ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 21, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Stacker at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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