Newly confirmed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth delivered his first official message to service members, emphasizing his commitment to restoring the “warrior ethos” and reinforcing America’s military dominance under President Donald J. Trump’s leadership.
Hegseth, a decorated combat veteran and former Fox News contributor, described his appointment as “the privilege of a lifetime” and laid out a clear, three-pronged approach to achieving the administration’s goal of “Peace through Strength.”
The defense strategy will focus on restoring military culture, rebuilding capabilities, and reestablishing deterrence in key global arenas.
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Hegseth detailed his vision for the U.S. military, promising to put “America First” while ensuring that the nation’s armed forces remain the most lethal in the world.
- Reviving the Warrior Ethos:
- Hegseth stressed the importance of rebuilding trust and discipline within the ranks.
- He vowed to uphold high, uncompromising standards and unity of purpose.
- “We are American warriors. We will defend our country,” he said, underscoring the need to focus on readiness and professionalism.
- Rebuilding Military Capabilities:
- The Secretary called for a renewed push to match military threats with robust capabilities.
- His strategy includes revitalizing the U.S. defense industrial base, reforming acquisition processes, and achieving a long-sought financial audit.
- He pledged to accelerate the deployment of emerging technologies to ensure the U.S. remains “the strongest and most lethal force in the world.”
- Reestablishing Deterrence:
- Hegseth vowed to bolster homeland defense and strengthen partnerships to counter threats from adversaries, particularly “Communist China” in the Indo-Pacific region.
- He echoed President Trump’s directive to “end wars responsibly” while shifting focus to the most pressing national security threats.
- “We will stand by our allies – and our enemies are on notice,” Hegseth warned.
In his message, Hegseth reassured military personnel and their families of his unwavering support, drawing from his own battlefield experience.
“Just as my fellow soldiers had my back on the battlefield, know that I will always have your back,” he stated. “Our enemies will neither rest nor relent, and neither will we.”
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Hegseth affirmed his focus on lethality, meritocracy, accountability, and readiness, ensuring that military operations align with President Trump’s overarching defense goals.
Hegseth’s confirmation as defense secretary came after a contentious process in the Senate, culminating in a historic tie-breaking vote by Vice President JD Vance. Critics, including several Senate Democrats and a few Republicans, raised concerns over his qualifications and past controversial statements.
Despite opposition, Hegseth has vowed to push forward with a “mission-first” approach, emphasizing his commitment to deterring conflicts while ensuring the U.S. military remains the world’s most formidable force.
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With global tensions rising and mounting challenges on multiple fronts, Secretary Hegseth’s leadership marks a significant shift in the Pentagon’s approach to national security.
He concluded his message with a unifying call to action, saying, “Together we will accomplish the President’s mission to deter war, and if necessary, defeat and destroy our enemies. Godspeed!”
The Department of Defense is expected to roll out more detailed plans in the coming weeks to implement Hegseth’s vision and align military operations with the Trump administration’s priorities.
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