President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver an address Friday afternoon at which he'll announce that he's changing the name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War.
His officials, however, are worried military members might not appear professional enough to stand before their commander-in-chief.
Huffington Post reporter Jennifer Bendery said that late yesterday, Air Force leadership sent out an urgent request for any service member who could stand behind Trump during the address. Specifically, they told members they must convey a "highly professional image."
The letter was first sent out from the White House Military Office and was then "channeled through the Chief of Staff of the Air Force," the report explained.
“Hot tasker from SecAF for short notice military support to 5 Sep 25 event at White House,” reads the email. “Who: We require 3x uniformed personnel (2x officer, 1x enlisted) of a highly professional image. What: To appear in service dress at the White House in the oval office (sic) to stand behind the president during a formal announcement.”
According to the DOD employee who flagged the request, "I know they’re looking to curate an image" because they asked for a biography of service members.
The Military Times reported in June that soldiers who stood behind Trump in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, were carefully curated. Those chosen to stand behind Trump were questioned about their "allegiance" not to the U.S. but to Trump.
"The troops ultimately selected to be behind Trump and visible to the cameras were almost exclusively male," the report said, with one message demanding "no fat soldiers."
"If soldiers have political views that are in opposition to the current administration and they don't want to be in the audience, then they need to speak with their leadership and get swapped out," another note to troops said.