Experts are gravely concerned about the state of the Defense Department and of America’s military forces.[1] In a nutshell, it is doubted that the United States could win a conventional war with a great power opponent, by which is meant China. We need an honest and probing discussion of these issues.[2] Instead, Peter Hegseth’s nomination for Secretary of Defense unleashed a cloudburst of moral indignation about his philandering,[3] possible sexual assault, drinking, opposition to women serving in combat arms, and proven inability to organize even a two-car parade.[4] Hegseth himself talked about restoring a warrior culture and “lethality” to American forces, in part by dismantling D.I.E. initiatives.[5] Much less senatorial and press attention was devoted to his views on issues of budgeting, recruitment,[6] threat assessments, and strategy. Then there was the charge that Hegseth “has also defended soldiers convicted of war crimes and urged their pardon, which puts our military’s honor at risk.”[7] Indeed, he did.[8] Again, the politics of personalities took pride of place. (Lots of ‘literation let loose.) Initially, many Republican senators found the allegations “very disturbing.” Many people thought that he would go the way of the failed nominee for Attorney, Matt Gaetz.[9] In response, Hegseth confessed that “I have failed in things in my life, and thankfully I’m redeemed by my Lord and Savior Jesus.” However, President Trump dug in behind Hegseth. After an intense lobbying effort,[10] Hegseth won confirmation by the narrowest margin possible. If he fails as Secretary of Defense,[11] we’re all liable to be redeemed by his Lord and Savior.
[1] For an alarming report, see: “The System Is Blinking Red” 2. | waroftheworldblog For well-informed discussions of some specific issues, see: Ep 169: Dmitry Filipoff on Naval Warfare in 2025 | Nebulous; Ep 165: Shyam Sankar on a Defense Reformation | Nebulous; Ep 161: Mackenzie Eaglen on China’s Military Spending and Ours | Nebulous I am grateful to my son, Evan Hill, for alerting me to Aaron Maclean and his podcast “School of War.”
[2] See the testimony to Congress of Secretary of Defense General Lloyd Austin (ret.). Bing Videos
[3] In one sense, this preoccupation is justified, rather than (OK, as well as) purely salacious. Adultery is barred by the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Hegseth would be the civilian chief of an organization whose military personnel are required to live under a moral code he has had great difficulty acknowledging. See: UCMJ Adultery: Punishment For Cheating In The Military
[4] “Senators grill Hegseth, other Trump nominees,” The Week, 24 January 2025, p. 5.
[5] See the column by Bret Stephens, “D.E.I. Will Not Be Missed,” NYT, 29 January 2025.
[6] Male recruitment has fallen by about 22 percent since 2015. Female recruitment has not surged enough to make up the difference. In any case, too many volunteers cannot meet the threshold qualifications for physical fitness and health (physical fitness). They are rejected before they can flunk out of Basic Training. “Noted,” The Week, 24 January 2025, p. 16
[7] Editorial in WSJ, quoted in “Senators grill Hegseth, other Trump nominees,” The Week, 24 January 2025, p. 5.
[8] At the same time, it is uncomfortable at the least to observe the posturing on this matter by journalists and politicians. One chief subject of Hegseth’s lobbying was Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher. Gallagher was charged with—among other crimes—the murder of a wounded ISIS prisoner in Iraq. Gallagher was on his eighth deployment. The Defense Department doesn’t send SEALs (or Army Rangers) to guard convoys or the perimeter of airfields. They send them into high-stress situations. They do it repeatedly. Someone is bound to crack. Then they get court-martialed. What about the civilian and military command structure that sent them? In any event, see Eddie Gallagher (Navy SEAL) – Wikipedia
[9] “Trump taps ‘Deep State’ critic Patel to lead FBI,” The Week, 13 December 2024, p. 4.
[10] Some of which targeted Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), herself an Army National Guard veteran who served in Kuwait during the Iraq War. Reportedly, some the pressure got ugly and went beyond normal jawboning or horse-trading. “GOP senators fall in line behind Trump’s pick,” The Week, 20 December 2024, p. 5.
[11] What am I saying, “If”? He isn’t Bob Gates.
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