Military outreach underway…
The Pentagon is reportedly searching across multiple military branches for hundreds of service members to attend President Donald Trump’s upcoming UFC event on the White House lawn, but those selected may have to clear specific fitness requirements and pay their own way to Washington.
According to a report from The Washington Post, Defense Department officials have circulated messages in recent days seeking troops for the June 14 event, dubbed “UFC Freedom 250.” The event is expected to be part of broader celebrations tied to America’s 250th anniversary and Trump’s 80th birthday.
Preparations are already underway on the White House South Lawn, where the fights are expected to take place.
Fitness standards play a key role
Internal communications reviewed by The Washington Post indicate that military officials are primarily targeting junior enlisted personnel and junior officers rather than senior leadership.
The selection criteria reportedly include compliance with current military fitness standards. One Air Force memo cited by the newspaper stated that eligible service members “MUST MEET CURRENT WAIST-HEIGHT RATIO and current physical fitness standard.”
Attendees would also be expected to wear short-sleeve dress uniforms during the event.
Another communication referenced in the report specified that participants must maintain a waist-to-height ratio below 0.55, suggesting physical readiness is a significant factor in the selection process.
Military officials have reportedly described the effort as a “quick-turn tasking,” underscoring the short timeline before the June 14 gathering.
Focus on UFC fans, not VIPs
According to a Facebook message cited by the Post, military commands were instructed that tickets should go to “genuine UFC fans” rather than being reserved primarily for senior leaders or distinguished visitors.
The message reportedly stated that “tickets must be distributed to genuine UFC fans, not solely to high-ranking DVs,” using common military shorthand for distinguished visitors.
Officials are also encouraging commands to nominate service members from outside the National Capital Region, or NCR, which includes Washington and surrounding areas. The goal appears to be broadening participation beyond troops already stationed near the White House.
Troops would pay their own transportation costs
According to the Post, service members selected to attend would be responsible for arranging and paying for their own transportation. The report described the travel as “member-procured,” meaning government-funded transportation would not be provided.
That requirement is particularly significant because the outreach appears focused largely on junior enlisted service members, who occupy the military’s lowest pay grades and generally have far less disposable income than senior noncommissioned officers and commissioned officers.
The report did not indicate how many service members have volunteered or been nominated so far, but officials are reportedly seeking hundreds of attendees from across the armed forces.
Pentagon, UFC remain quiet
When contacted by The Washington Post, Pentagon spokesman Joel Valdez declined to comment on the reported effort. UFC officials also did not immediately respond to questions regarding the event or the military outreach campaign.
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