Pete Hegseth was recently sworn in as the new Secretary of Defense, taking on the responsibility of leading America’s 3.5 million service members and civilians. He was sworn in by Vice President JD Vance following his Senate confirmation on Friday evening. During his confirmation hearing, Hegseth stated that President Trump had charged him with bringing back the warrior culture to the Department of Defense, with a focus on lethality, meritocracy, warfighting, accountability, and readiness.
Hegseth outlined his plans to restore the warrior ethos, rebuild the military, and reestablish deterrence as key components in bringing back a focus on warfighting. He emphasized the importance of accountability, high standards, performance, readiness, rapid innovation, and merit across the Defense Department. He also expressed his intention to trim bureaucracy and reallocate resources to support the warfighter, highlighting the need for a more streamlined and efficient system.
As a former Army National Guard officer, Hegseth brings a wealth of military experience to his new role as Secretary of Defense. He served as an infantryman in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as guarding detainees at Guantanamo Bay. His military awards include two Bronze Star Medals, the Joint Commendation Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge, among others. Hegseth referred to his new role as the 29th Secretary of Defense as the most important deployment of his life.
Hegseth, who hails from Minnesota, is a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard University. He has previously led organizations advocating for veterans, served as a host on Fox News, and authored several books. He and his wife, Jennifer, have seven children. As Secretary of Defense, Hegseth aims to bring about significant changes within the Department of Defense, with a focus on efficiency, accountability, and readiness to ensure a strong and secure America.
