EXCLUSIVE: Army's 250th Parade Sparks Outrage Over 'No Fat Soldiers' Order

Paul Riverbank, 6/13/2025Army's 250th anniversary parade faces controversy over discriminatory selection and political neutrality concerns.

The Army's 250th Anniversary Celebration: A Complex Dance of Patriotism and Politics

Walking down Constitution Avenue yesterday, I couldn't help but notice the massive preparations underway for what's shaping up to be one of the most ambitious military celebrations in recent memory. The street, usually bustling with tourists and bureaucrats, has been transformed into a staging ground for Saturday's landmark parade marking the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary.

Let me paint you a picture of what's coming: imagine 28 hulking M1A1 Abrams tanks – each weighing over 60 tons – rolling down these historic streets. They'll be joined by Bradley fighting vehicles, Strykers, and those impressive Paladin Howitzers. I've covered military parades for two decades, but this one's different. The sheer scale is unprecedented for modern Washington.

But here's where it gets interesting. While Ambassador Monica Crowley's office is billing this as a purely patriotic celebration, there's an elephant in the room we need to address. The timing – coinciding with both Flag Day and President Trump's 79th birthday – has raised eyebrows among military brass I've spoken with off the record.

What's particularly troubling is what's happening behind the scenes at Fort Bragg. My sources there have shared internal communications revealing some questionable selection criteria for troops participating in the president's speech. "No fat soldiers" and screening out those with opposing political views? I've seen my share of military events, but this kind of political filtering sets off alarm bells.

The whole situation reminds me of a similar controversy I covered back in 2019, when military leadership had to navigate the delicate balance between showing respect for civilian authority while maintaining their constitutional obligation to remain politically neutral.

Look, the hardware will be impressive – there's no denying that. Seven thousand troops marching in formation, 51 aircraft performing flyovers (including some beautiful World War II birds I'm particularly excited to see), and enough armored vehicles to make any military enthusiast's day. The logistics alone are mind-boggling.

But here's what keeps nagging at me: the Army's field manual is crystal clear about political neutrality. I've got a dog-eared copy on my desk that I've referenced countless times, and it explicitly states that "being nonpartisan means not favoring any specific political party or group." Period.

The international angle adds another fascinating layer. British and French participation in upcoming events suggests our allies see this as more than just an American military celebration. They're viewing it through the lens of shared democratic values and historical ties.

I spent yesterday afternoon talking with several retired generals about this. One of them, who prefers to remain unnamed, put it perfectly: "We're watching a tightrope walk between celebrating military excellence and avoiding political theater."

For those planning to attend (and you'll need to register at America250.org for those digital tickets), expect tight security and Secret Service screening. But more importantly, expect to witness something that perfectly encapsulates our current national moment – a celebration of military might that's inadvertently highlighting the challenges of maintaining institutional neutrality in politically charged times.

As someone who's spent years covering the intersection of military affairs and politics, I can tell you this: Saturday's parade will be spectacular. But it's also a reminder that even our most revered institutions aren't immune to the gravitational pull of political polarization.

Paul Riverbank has been covering military and political affairs in Washington for over two decades. His latest book, "The Military-Political Complex: America's Evolving Challenge," is due out this fall.

The Army's 250th Anniversary Celebration: A Complex Dance of Patriotism and PoliticsWalking down Constitution Avenue yesterday, I couldn't help but notice the massive preparations underway for what's shaping up to be one of the most ambitious military celebrations in recent memory. The street, usually bustling with tourists and bureaucrats, has been transformed into a staging ground for Saturday's landmark parade marking the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary.Let me paint you a picture of what's coming: imagine 28 hulking M1A1 Abrams tanks – each weighing over 60 tons – rolling down these historic streets. They'll be joined by Bradley fighting vehicles, Strykers, and those impressive Paladin Howitzers. I've covered military parades for two decades, but this one's different. The sheer scale is unprecedented for modern Washington.But here's where it gets interesting. While Ambassador Monica Crowley's office is billing this as a purely patriotic celebration, there's an elephant in the room we need to address. The timing – coinciding with both Flag Day and President Trump's 79th birthday – has raised eyebrows among military brass I've spoken with off the record.What's particularly troubling is what's happening behind the scenes at Fort Bragg. My sources there have shared internal communications revealing some questionable selection criteria for troops participating in the president's speech. "No fat soldiers" and screening out those with opposing political views? I've seen my share of military events, but this kind of political filtering sets off alarm bells.The whole situation reminds me of a similar controversy I covered back in 2019, when military leadership had to navigate the delicate balance between showing respect for civilian authority while maintaining their constitutional obligation to remain politically neutral.Look, the hardware will be impressive – there's no denying that. Seven thousand troops marching in formation, 51 aircraft performing flyovers (including some beautiful World War II birds I'm particularly excited to see), and enough armored vehicles to make any military enthusiast's day. The logistics alone are mind-boggling.But here's what keeps nagging at me: the Army's field manual is crystal clear about political neutrality. I've got a dog-eared copy on my desk that I've referenced countless times, and it explicitly states that "being nonpartisan means not favoring any specific political party or group." Period.The international angle adds another fascinating layer. British and French participation in upcoming events suggests our allies see this as more than just an American military celebration. They're viewing it through the lens of shared democratic values and historical ties.I spent yesterday afternoon talking with several retired generals about this. One of them, who prefers to remain unnamed, put it perfectly: "We're watching a tightrope walk between celebrating military excellence and avoiding political theater."For those planning to attend (and you'll need to register at America250.org for those digital tickets), expect tight security and Secret Service screening. But more importantly, expect to witness something that perfectly encapsulates our current national moment – a celebration of military might that's inadvertently highlighting the challenges of maintaining institutional neutrality in politically charged times.As someone who's spent years covering the intersection of military affairs and politics, I can tell you this: Saturday's parade will be spectacular. But it's also a reminder that even our most revered institutions aren't immune to the gravitational pull of political polarization.Paul Riverbank has been covering military and political affairs in Washington for over two decades. His latest book, "The Military-Political Complex: America's Evolving Challenge," is due out this fall.