Generals in opinion as Hegseth calls for return to “philosophy of fighting war”

War secretary Pete Hegseth Throw a frank message to military leaders around the world this week: be in good shape, get on board with the Trump agenda or go out.

He marked the first time that generals from around the world had been summoned to meet with the secretary, and many expected to camera on the Cup of the Body of General Officers, destroying forces in the Middle East and in Europe or by cutting civil and entrepreneurs.

Instead, what they got was a television address from Hegseth and President Donald Trump. The secretary rejected a populist message to submit decision -making to the Warfighter, forcing senior management to carry out physical training in accordance with officers of a lower rank and to bring the uniformity back to force.

Garrett Smith, a tank of the Marine Corps in Active Service and CEO of the Defense Technology Society, said that the show was unusual but not unprecedented.

Trump declares “reappear” of “Spirit Warrior”, “unshakable support for the military:” I have my back “

The Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, speaks to military leaders at a meeting at the base of the Marine Corre quantico, in Virginia. (Kevin Lamarque / Reuters)

“At a first level, in any large multinational society or large organization, when there is a new boss, it is completely reasonable to call all your regional directors and VPS for a tone framework, to reconfirm the agenda, to ensure alignment. So, all this makes sense,” said Smith.

“But, of course, these are not normal times. It is the Trump administration. So it will come with a bunch of improved dramas and mystics.

Even thus, Smith argued, the underlying message was undoubtedly: ” return to war And preparation for the victory of wars as a priority mission of the department. There was a perception that we had removed from this, that it had only become one mission among many. Reclaiming that this is the mission is really important – investing in a philosophy of fighting war. “”

At a time when the Trump administration is on alert for internal resistance to its program, the speech reminded the commanders stationed far from Washington that their authority finally stems from the president.

“This is a historic meeting of Come To-Jesus,” said Chad Robicheaux, a former reconnaissance navy that has been deployed in Afghanistan eight times. “The message is clear. The days of division, resistance and undermining leadership are finished.”

“It was clear. Generals and admirals are in opinion. Respect and apply these new policies and cultures or be dismissed. More waking up leaders,” said Amber Smith, veteran and combat advisor for the Coalition for Military Excellence.

“The subject today concerns the nature of ourselves, because no plan, no program, no reform, no training will ultimately succeed unless we have good people and good culture at the Ministry of War,” Hegseth told the group.

He stressed that combat fitness tests would be non -sexist and that high -level officers should comply with standards.

“It is quite unacceptable to see the big generals and admirals in the corridors of the Pentagon and the main commands across the country and the world. This is a bad look. It is not that we are,” he said. “Whether you are a forest ranger or a forest ranger, a whole new private or a four -star general, you must comply with size and weight standards and take your PT test.”

Hegseth has announced that all the staff must take physical training tests and meet the weight requirements twice a year and would be required to train daily.

“We are not talking, like hot yoga and stretching,” he said. “Real Hard pt.”

This represented a departure from previous years, when fitness standards have often dropped once the officers reached higher ranks and orders related to the office.

Hegseth indicates the “highest male standard only” for the fight, other modifications, declaring the department. Defense “is over”

Hundreds of generals were called to quantico on one week’s notice for HegSeth’s address. (Kevin Lamarque / Reuters)

Smith, who comes from the infantry, said that the emphasis on physical preparation standards was part of this change.

“If we want to present a deterrent force to the world so that we do not have to go to war, we must be ready to win the next war. It is the deterrent force that we project,” he said.

At the same time, Smith recognized the cultural edge of HegSeth’s message.

“There was a threat of obvious and very clear and very clear anti-social justice.

From Trump, the generals have seen an overview of what is expected in the next national defense strategy, a renewed emphasis on the defense of the fatherland and American domination in the Western hemisphere. Trump suggested that American crime cities could even serve as a “training ground” for the troops.

“I told Pete that we should use some of these dangerous cities such as training courses for our soldiers – the National Guard, but the army – because we are going to Chicago very soon,” Trump said.

Hegseth said to the resignation troops

Hegseth’s message wore a personal rooted side in its own military experience. Former officer of the National Guard of the Army who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, Hegseth has left the service to the rank of Major, well below the level of general officer which he supervises now.

This trajectory has long colored its original posture towards the pentagon brass, giving it the credibility of the basic troops, but also fueling what some consider a shoulder shoulder tone towards those who climbed higher in the hierarchy.

His insistence that the generals lose weight, train daily and live according to the same standards as junior officers reflect both his populist instincts and his feeling of life to be closer to warfighter than the war planner.

“I can’t really imagine a scenario where a general must be able to cross a battlefield,” said a veteran.

“It was a bit theoretical,” said a junior officer about speech. “But he is right that the generals should meet the same standards they expect from the people they direct.”

Click here to download the Fox News app

“The future of the military and the” war “department finally begins to be more beautiful, and I am happy that all that the bulls – which have occurred in the past have been discussed, and I do not have to face it,” said another.

Hegseth also said that he would raise railings to prevent bullying and hazing and “will allow managers to enforce standards without fear of reprisals or second currency”.

“No more walking on shells.”

He told the military officers in the room if they did not like his message: “Then you should do the honorable thing and resign.”