Hegseth Asked Top Admiral to Resign After Months of Discord
The story of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Admiral Alvin Holsey is a stark illustration of the tensions brewing within the highest echelons of the U.S. military. The core issue revolves around a fundamental disagreement: whether to blindly follow orders or exercise professional judgment, especially when those orders raise legal and ethical questions. The narrative presented reveals a growing chasm between Hegseth’s approach to military command and Admiral Holsey’s commitment to upholding military standards, ultimately leading to the admiral’s premature departure.
Months of friction between Hegseth and Holsey marked the lead up to the admiral’s forced retirement.… Continue reading
In a recent statement, Kelly criticized the Secretary of Defense’s public persona, expressing concern over his messaging. Kelly argued that instead of focusing on the military’s mission, the Secretary acts childishly on stage, which is embarrassing. This behavior and rhetoric is a disservice to the military and could negatively affect the United States’ standing with its allies. Kelly was specifically referencing a summit in September where the Secretary lectured military personnel on issues like body image.
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Hegseth Is Purging Military Leaders With Little Explanation
The recent actions of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, specifically the firing or sidelining of numerous generals and admirals, are raising serious concerns. The scale of these removals, involving at least two dozen high-ranking officers in a relatively short period, is unprecedented in recent decades. The lack of clear explanations for these decisions is particularly troubling.
The unsettling aspect is that these moves often appear to contradict the advice of seasoned military leaders who fought alongside the dismissed officers. This has created a climate of uncertainty and distrust within the military. Senior officers are feeling pressured to align themselves with one side or the other, fostering division and potentially undermining cohesion.… Continue reading
Lt. Gen. Joe McGee, a three-star general and director for strategy, plans, and policy on the Joint Staff, has retired from his role, reportedly due to disagreements with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Dan Caine. McGee reportedly objected to the administration’s actions regarding the Caribbean and the Russia-Ukraine war. His departure is part of a larger trend of senior military officials leaving their positions since January, including the former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair and the first female chief of naval operations. This comes as the administration escalates its actions toward the Venezuelan government and shifts troops to the Caribbean.
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The Pentagon is undergoing a major leadership overhaul under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, with Rear Admiral Kurt Rothenhaus, head of the Office of Naval Research, being replaced by 33-year-old Rachel Riley, a former DOGE employee, who lacks military experience. This follows the departure of three-star General Joe McGee, who served on the Joint Staff, amidst reported tension. These moves are part of a broader trend of experienced officials being removed from their positions within the Defense Department under the current administration, alongside previous high-profile dismissals of key military leaders.
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‘He lost us’: Generals, senior officers say trust in Hegseth has evaporated. It seems like the core sentiment revolves around a fundamental lack of trust in Hegseth from senior military leadership. The reaction suggests that this erosion of trust isn’t a new development, but rather a culmination of events, revealing that the relationship was likely built on shaky ground to begin with.
The narrative underscores how many senior officers questioned the basis for any initial trust in Hegseth. The argument highlights his limited military experience, primarily consisting of service in the National Guard and a single year in Iraq, painting him as ill-equipped to lead the complex US military.… Continue reading
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has mandated that all U.S. armed forces personnel watch or read his September 30 address, a directive confirmed by the Pentagon, blurring the lines between military leadership and political indoctrination. The speech, delivered at Marine Corps Base Quantico, outlined policy changes that reinstate pre-2015 combat standards, mandate increased physical testing, and eliminate accommodations for gender expression and grooming. Hegseth’s address, which rebranded the Department of Defense as the “Department of War,” targeted diversity and inclusion efforts, declaring a return to traditional military values. The order is viewed by some service members as a loyalty test and a form of propaganda.
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On Friday, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed Navy Chief of Staff Jon Harrison, who had been instrumental in the Trump administration’s efforts to restructure the Pentagon. Harrison, appointed in January, worked alongside Navy Secretary John Phelan to limit the influence of the navy under secretary. Harrison’s firing occurred shortly after Hung Cao was confirmed as navy under secretary, amidst reports of efforts to diminish Cao’s role. This dismissal continues months of personnel changes and policy shifts under Hegseth’s leadership, including cuts to top military personnel and a controversial speech criticizing diversity initiatives.
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In a recent address to nearly 800 top military leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced new directives aimed at reversing policies regarding women in combat and the prevention of hazing and bullying. Hegseth stated the intention of rolling back standards to make it harder for women to serve in combat, suggesting that if women cannot meet “male standards,” they should seek alternative roles. Furthermore, he criticized efforts to eliminate “toxic leadership,” asserting that definitions of bullying and hazing have been “weaponized”. The Secretary also ordered reforms to the Pentagon Inspector General’s office and Equal Opportunity offices to eliminate anonymous complaints, saying it empowers leaders.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is planning an in-person meeting with top military officials in Virginia next week, with the intention of recording and publicly releasing his speech. The speech is expected to address military standards, the “warrior ethos,” and the Trump administration’s vision for the Defense Department, which is being rebranded as the “Department of War”. This gathering, described by sources as a “pep rally,” will be a demonstration of force with optics as a priority. The event has raised questions among retired military officials due to its scale and the potential costs associated with bringing numerous generals to one location, especially given that the meeting could have been conducted virtually.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker