Blog #30 Warfighting and Secretary of War Hegseth’s Speech
I read a summary comment by Mike Burnette on Facebook and copy it here. I do so as I believe in every point Mike makes. As a former infantry platoon leader who saw combat in Vietnam and had countless contacts with the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army (NVA), I have also stated time and again that gender care, DEI, WOKE, racebaiting, and other left liberal ideologies DO NOT enable a strong, unified, confident, and lethal warfighting force. We need force multipliers, not force debilitation. The military should never be used for social experimentation or programs that distract from the warfighting mission, waste money on ideology instead of weaponry, and create a WIMP (weak, incompetent, malingering, pansies) culture with politically correct leadership.
The Combat Arms comprises at minimum, the infantry, paratroopers, special forces, armor units, and artillery. I have written articles on women in combat arms. While America does not need and should not require putting women in foxholes, those women who can meet gender neutral requirements for combat arms and have the will to take on warfighting should get equal treatment.
The idea that our DoD has spent millions on gender surgeries, followed-up with life time pharmaceutical regimens for those changing their sex, plus the millions lost hiring DEI/WOKE consultants to give seminars to troops, plus the lost time for actual warfighting training is unconcionable, irresponsible, and dangerous. Our adversaries laugh at this complete nonsense.
But here is Mike’s brief, well stated points:
Mike Burnette
I served in the Air Force for 26 years and in two combat zones and ten countries, so I know a little bit about what I'm talking about. I believe Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's speech was brilliant--and it was more than a speech. It was decribing new policy. If you listen to the content, it was one of the most detailed reform outlines we’ve heard in years.
Here are the takeaways:
1️⃣ Back to Warfighting First – He rebranded the DoD as the War Department, making it clear the military’s core mission is to fight and win wars, not push bureaucracy.
2️⃣ Fitness & Standards – Daily PT for all ranks. No more “fat generals.” Combat jobs go back to the highest standard for everyone—because the enemy doesn’t care about identity politics.
3️⃣ Appearance & Discipline – Tighter grooming rules: no beards, no long hair. A reminder that soldiers should look and carry themselves like professionals.
4️⃣ End of DEI Bureaucracy – Eliminating DEI offices and identity-based promotions. Advancement based only on merit and performance. DEI is a harmful ideology rooted in “cultural Marxism,” claiming it elevates identity over merit and undermines American values.
5️⃣ Leadership Accountability – Senior officers who created the current culture are being fired. If you can’t follow the new direction, resign.
6️⃣ Rules That Let Troops Win – Looser rules of engagement and less red tape. Untying the hands of warfighters on the battlefield.
7️⃣ Meritocracy & Morale – Promotions and retention based on real ability, not checkboxes. Leaders expected to treat units as if their own son or daughter served there.