Military leaders voice concern over Hegseth's new Pentagon strategy

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Washington Post

September 29, 2025 at 6:58 p.m. EDT


Military leaders have raised serious concerns with the Trump administration’s forthcoming defense strategy, exposing a divide between the Pentagon’s political and uniformed leadership as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth summons top brass to a highly unusual summit in Virginia on Tuesday, according to eight current and former officials.

The critiques from multiple top officers, including Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, come as Hegseth reorders U.S. military priorities — centering the Pentagon on perceived threats to the homeland, narrowing U.S. competition with China, and downplaying America’s role in Europe and Africa.

President Donald Trump will attend the abrupt gathering of general and admirals at Marine Corps Base Quantico, where Hegseth is expected to deliver remarks on military standards and the “warrior ethos,” even as uniformed leaders fear mass firings or a drastic reorganization of the combatant command structure and the military hierarchy.

The debate over the National Defense Strategy — the Pentagon’s primary guide for how it prioritizes resources and positions U.S. forces around the world — is the latest challenge for top military officials navigating the Trump administration’s unorthodox approach to the armed forces.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/09/29/hegseth-national-defense-strategy-trump-dissent/

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No paywall (gift)

[Autumn]

1. It seems to me military leaders are the new and improved Susan collins.

[BumRushDaShow]

3. Because many have been through so many Presidents

and Secretaries that like the civilian feds, they yawn and say "next" after complaining about them, and their "GS-1000s" who want to "rock the boat" too much.

I know as a retired civilian civil service employee, I served under 6 Presidents and who knows how many Department and Agency heads (since there was almost always some revolving door of them), although obviously this current set are a bunch of fucking loons.

[ancianita]

4. Why would you possibly think that.

Not only do commanders have university PhD levels of education, but they have the entire of human history from which to learn military science.

US Military generals are among the most educated elite of the world. What the worst US Military general knows is a universe more than anything Hegseth or this felon commander-in-chief has learned since the day either was born.

[Autumn]

13. Does the name Michael Thomas Flynn ring a bell?

Collins graduated Phi Beta Kappa from St. Lawrence University. What have the military leaders done to rein in that SOB Trump other than share their concern on the DL?

[ancianita]

14. So what. He's one of 800 generals, ffs. Think you can smear the whole command with just one example?

It is not now, nor has it ever been the US Military generals' job to "rein in" anyone in civilian command.

You act as if you don't know how either military command or civilian command even work.
Maybe read something...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_control_of_the_military

[Autumn]

15. I know how it works and I know what they do. What have they done to rein in the son

of a bitch who is tearing up the constitution and ending Americas democracy. other than be concerned a la Susan Collins ?

[ancianita]

16. No you don't. You just think you do. "rein in the son of a bitch..." just proves you refuse to "know how it works."

It's clear you haven't even read the links.

[Autumn]

17. So nothing? Figured that. You have a nice day. eom

[ancianita]

18. That's all you can come up with because you refuse to read.

[Gimpyknee]

20. Well said. When I try to engage like you do my posts get deleted.

What’s your secret?

[Hekate]

22. TY for ...

…your fortitude and persistence. Some people will have learned from you, even if one will not.

[sop]

2. "The Trump administration's unorthodox approach to the armed forces"?

Just "unothodox"? Maybe if Putin showed up to the meeting and took command of our armed forced our corporate media would take this seriously?

[Bernardo de La Paz]

6. They are sane-washing it when they don't call it "incompetent approach". . . . nt

[Irish_Dem]

9. No, the media would call Putin taking command of the US military a brilliant strategy.

[mountain grammy]

29. Exactly!

Sane washing

[chowder66]

5. These assholes have got to be Russian agents. They are creating a massive fissure in our security. Why?

[Bernardo de La Paz]

7. Too easy to say "Russia". They are stupid people thinking they are doing good for W males & to hell with the rest

White males especially themselves. They think (echos of 1950s GM) "what's good for white males is good for the country (and my bank account)".

[Irish_Dem]

10. It's not just Russia. All US enemies are working to bring down the US.

Saudi, NK, China, Russia, etc.

ETA: They are doing a wonderful job.

[chowder66]

11. I agree but Trump and his ilk love them some Putin.

[Irish_Dem]

12. Oh yes. Trump, Putin, GOP, MAGAs are all part of the same crime syndicate.

[ananda]

8. Trump must feel it's about time to turn the military...

into a clusterfuck like everything else he turns his hand to

[ancianita]

19. He does. But the generals will play go along to get along, and listen, and then

find ways to stop this restructuring by proving it will be a threat to national security. They already know a whole lot more classified intel than these two blustering losers.

If they threaten, the generals will play 'following orders,' and then slow down the process.

[Bayard]

21. Speaking of enemies,

What a great idea to put all of our top military brass, and the prez, in one big room.

[mdbl]

28. I know, how stupid.

That just proves Dump and Hegseth have no brains.

[Javaman]

23. I find this meeting and the potential threat of the government shut down...chilling. nt

[MayReasonRule]

24. The administration literally holds their careers hostage to their willingness to deploy against Americans.

https://www.narativ.org/p/breaking-trump-will-lead-tuesdays

[KS Toronado]

25. I'm speechless

CONGRESSMEN WHO PROTECT PEDOPHILES
.....DON'T DESERVE TO BE CONGRESSMEN

[Lovie777]

26. The United States of America is not safe under the present administration and GQP......................

We the People are not safe here nor abroad.

The out of control cabinet puts us further into shambles as well the 6 assholes justices in the US SC.

[usonian]

27. Fight the enemy outside the US

While I tear it down from within to pay a debt.

1. Don't look at me.
2.