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The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free
Real men fought for our freedoms. It’s time we fought for theirs.
Pete Hegseth joined the Army to fight extremists. Then that same Army called him one. The military Pete joined twenty years ago was fiercely focused on lethality, competency, and color blindness. Today our brass are following the rest of our country off the cliff of cultural chaos and weakness.
Americans with common sense are fighting this on many fronts, but if we can’t save the meritocracy of our military, we’re definitely going to lose everywhere else.
The War on Warriors uncovers the deep roots of our dysfunction—a society that has forgotten the men who take risks, cut through red tape, and get their hands dirty. The only kind of men prepared to face the dangers that the Left pretends don’t exist. Unlike issues of education or taxes or crime, this problem doesn’t have a zip code solution. We can’t move away from it. We can’t avoid it. We have only one Pentagon. Either we take it back or surrender it altogether.
Combining his own war experiences, tales of outrage, and an incisive look at how the chain of command got so kinked, this book is the key to saving our warriors—and winning future wars. The War on Warriors must be won by the good guys, because when the shooting really starts, they’re the only ones who can save us.
Pete Hegseth joined the Army to fight extremists. Then that same Army called him one. The military Pete joined twenty years ago was fiercely focused on lethality, competency, and color blindness. Today our brass are following the rest of our country off the cliff of cultural chaos and weakness.
Americans with common sense are fighting this on many fronts, but if we can’t save the meritocracy of our military, we’re definitely going to lose everywhere else.
The War on Warriors uncovers the deep roots of our dysfunction—a society that has forgotten the men who take risks, cut through red tape, and get their hands dirty. The only kind of men prepared to face the dangers that the Left pretends don’t exist. Unlike issues of education or taxes or crime, this problem doesn’t have a zip code solution. We can’t move away from it. We can’t avoid it. We have only one Pentagon. Either we take it back or surrender it altogether.
Combining his own war experiences, tales of outrage, and an incisive look at how the chain of command got so kinked, this book is the key to saving our warriors—and winning future wars. The War on Warriors must be won by the good guys, because when the shooting really starts, they’re the only ones who can save us.
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 4, 2024
About the author
Pete Hegseth
7 books110 followersPete Hegseth is co-host of Fox & Friends Weekend and a frequent guest co-host for the weekday edition of Fox & Friends. He is also a Fox News Senior Political Analyst. Pete is an Army veteran of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and was also a guard at Guantanamo Bay. He holds two Bronze Stars and a Combat Infantryman’s Badge for his time in Iraq and Afghanistan. Pete graduated from Princeton University in 2003.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
June 9, 2024
Pete tells the story as I would if able
As a 28 year veteran of Navy Aviation I was concerned for my Navy when I retired in 79. Since then I’ve watched as my brother, two sons, two grandsons (one of whom is currently a senior CPO) and and on his last tour and will retire early because of the wokeiny of the military. He and I feel that the military is now an empty vessel
As a 28 year veteran of Navy Aviation I was concerned for my Navy when I retired in 79. Since then I’ve watched as my brother, two sons, two grandsons (one of whom is currently a senior CPO) and and on his last tour and will retire early because of the wokeiny of the military. He and I feel that the military is now an empty vessel
June 10, 2024
A real eye opener… spared no words or blame !
It’s disheartening hearing what goes on behind the scenes…
It’s disheartening hearing what goes on behind the scenes…
June 10, 2024
As a Vietnam combat veteran I was greatly disturbed by the candidness of Pete's experience and observations. I love my wife and daughters, and I can unequivocally say I do not want them in combat roles defending our country. Neither do I want someone who thinks they are a girl or woman there either. It is a distraction from combat readiness.
The failures of Vietnam are directly attributable to the leadership. They sent us trained warriors on a social work mission to win the hearts and minds of the people. How foolish then, and how foolish now.
This book should be a wake-up call to any American who has not had the first-hand taste of war! It is real, not reality TV.
The failures of Vietnam are directly attributable to the leadership. They sent us trained warriors on a social work mission to win the hearts and minds of the people. How foolish then, and how foolish now.
This book should be a wake-up call to any American who has not had the first-hand taste of war! It is real, not reality TV.
August 5, 2024
I was hoping to read this book to learn more about veterans' issues (i.e. issues with the VA, PTSD, etc.) as I feel severely underinformed on the topic, but this book is actually just an incoherent and weird shitstorm with no citations that aren't just sourced from other media outlets funded by the same hard-right & moneyed deep state (Koch Brothers, Peter Thiel, Heritage Foundation, and so on) that funds Fox News (the media outlet that Pete works at). At one point, he realizes he has no backing for an opinion he writes and instead of logically defending himself he literally just states, "Prove me wrong." Lol, what the fuck?
I feel like because Pete is, to use his own vile term, a "media-careerist" whose employment hinges on constructing strawmen and punditry on cable, he has to write this masturbatory bullshit to keep his job or expand his promotional opportunities, so we can't fault him for writing stupid paradoxical crap about his deployment like "We were not the extremists; we hunted them." Homie, if you're willing to kill someone else in a foreign country with 0 infrastructure because you conflate American soldiering with Godly righteousness then ya, you're a fucking extremist lmao. He even tells on himself when he admits that he was kicked from working in D.C. because he was identified as an extremist by HIS OWN PEERS.
The whole time too I'm pretty confused at who exactly I'm supposed to be mad at: the undefined and amorphous "Left" or the misidentified "Marxists." I say undefined and amorphous Left because Pete never actually explains who the enemy of the "Left" is, other than occasionally stringing together dogwhistles that boil down to "people who have ideas I disagree with." Further, for a guy who graduated from two Ivy League schools, I'm appalled that Pete is somehow uninformed about the definition of Marxism. Marxism simply refers to a set of beliefs that industrialized economies produce a system whereby there is a binary class system, capital and labor, where at some point the exploited labor class will get fed up with being exploited, seize the means of production, usurp the owner capital-holding class, then implement Communism (tho Marx / Engels themselves never positively affirm whether Communism is a good or realistic system). People who identify as Communists think we should implement Communism, Marxists simply call out that exploiting labor is fucked up. But again, since Pete is a media-careerist I'm positive that he understands what Marxism is and is instead using dogwhistles here to manipulate the attention of the base that typically watches his content on Fox News. I will say this, whether you swing left or right, IDGAF, what I will tell you tho is to be EXTREMELY WARY of ANYONE who rambles for 200+ pages about who they hate, and why you should hate them too, ESPECIALLY if the people you're supposed to hate are literally just fellow Americans. I fundamentally mistrust anyone who tells me who to hate when they can't actually define the "who." It's giving Mein Kampf ("culture destroyers" = Jews for Hitler, similar to how the "Left's" culture of "wokeism" is somehow destroying America).
Finally, I find Pete's asides about his subscription to Christianity confounding, considering he himself is on his third marriage (one of which was the product of an extramarital affair with a Fox producer) and has fathered children with multiple baby mommas, but I guess the sanctity of marriage ranks somewhat below the sanctity of killing other people for America, you know, since Jesus himself told us all to fucking just kill everyone we disagree with haha. Trashyyyyy. At the end of the book, Pete goes on this weird ass diatribe about the Founders and how they were like inspired or something by the Old Testament - no, they pulled directly from Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke and Thomas Hobbes. There are ample first-person accounts from people like Ben Franklin who, in his own diary, literally says that he doesn't really think Christianity is real. PrOvE mE wRonG!!!!!!!!!>>>!>!!! The Founders were what you would call Deists - as in, if there is a God that created us all, it is indifferent to the world, emphasizing rationalism and rejecting supernaturalism (e.g. Angels and Demons and all that bullshit).
Here are some more quotes from the Founders on religion!!!
"The government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.”
- John Adams.
"I do not believe in the creed professed by the Jewish Church, by the Roman Church, by the Greek Church, by the Turkish Church, by the Protestant Church, nor by any Church that I know of. My own mind is my own Church
All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit.
Science is the true theology."
-Thomas Paine
"The Christian god can easily be pictured as virtually the same god as the many ancient gods of past civilizations. The Christian god is a three headed monster; cruel, vengeful and capricious. If one wishes to know more of this raging, three headed beast-like god, one only needs to look at the caliber of people who say they serve him. They are always of two classes: fools and hypocrites.
I have examined all the known superstitions of the world, and I do not find in our particular superstition of Christianity one redeeming feature. They are all alike founded on fables and mythology.
Millions of innocent men, women and children, since the introduction of Christianity, have been burnt, tortured, fined and imprisoned; yet we have not advanced one inch towards uniformity. What has been the effect of coercion? To make one half the world fools, and the other half hypocrites. To support roguery and error all over the earth."
-Thomas Jefferson
"Lighthouses are more helpful than churches.
I have found Christian dogma unintelligible. Early in life, I absenteed myself from Christian assemblies."
-Benjamin Franklin
And finally, although not a founding father, the following gem is from Abraham Lincoln:
"The Bible is not my book nor Christianity my profession. I could never give assent to the long, complicated statements of Christian dogma."
I feel like because Pete is, to use his own vile term, a "media-careerist" whose employment hinges on constructing strawmen and punditry on cable, he has to write this masturbatory bullshit to keep his job or expand his promotional opportunities, so we can't fault him for writing stupid paradoxical crap about his deployment like "We were not the extremists; we hunted them." Homie, if you're willing to kill someone else in a foreign country with 0 infrastructure because you conflate American soldiering with Godly righteousness then ya, you're a fucking extremist lmao. He even tells on himself when he admits that he was kicked from working in D.C. because he was identified as an extremist by HIS OWN PEERS.
The whole time too I'm pretty confused at who exactly I'm supposed to be mad at: the undefined and amorphous "Left" or the misidentified "Marxists." I say undefined and amorphous Left because Pete never actually explains who the enemy of the "Left" is, other than occasionally stringing together dogwhistles that boil down to "people who have ideas I disagree with." Further, for a guy who graduated from two Ivy League schools, I'm appalled that Pete is somehow uninformed about the definition of Marxism. Marxism simply refers to a set of beliefs that industrialized economies produce a system whereby there is a binary class system, capital and labor, where at some point the exploited labor class will get fed up with being exploited, seize the means of production, usurp the owner capital-holding class, then implement Communism (tho Marx / Engels themselves never positively affirm whether Communism is a good or realistic system). People who identify as Communists think we should implement Communism, Marxists simply call out that exploiting labor is fucked up. But again, since Pete is a media-careerist I'm positive that he understands what Marxism is and is instead using dogwhistles here to manipulate the attention of the base that typically watches his content on Fox News. I will say this, whether you swing left or right, IDGAF, what I will tell you tho is to be EXTREMELY WARY of ANYONE who rambles for 200+ pages about who they hate, and why you should hate them too, ESPECIALLY if the people you're supposed to hate are literally just fellow Americans. I fundamentally mistrust anyone who tells me who to hate when they can't actually define the "who." It's giving Mein Kampf ("culture destroyers" = Jews for Hitler, similar to how the "Left's" culture of "wokeism" is somehow destroying America).
Finally, I find Pete's asides about his subscription to Christianity confounding, considering he himself is on his third marriage (one of which was the product of an extramarital affair with a Fox producer) and has fathered children with multiple baby mommas, but I guess the sanctity of marriage ranks somewhat below the sanctity of killing other people for America, you know, since Jesus himself told us all to fucking just kill everyone we disagree with haha. Trashyyyyy. At the end of the book, Pete goes on this weird ass diatribe about the Founders and how they were like inspired or something by the Old Testament - no, they pulled directly from Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke and Thomas Hobbes. There are ample first-person accounts from people like Ben Franklin who, in his own diary, literally says that he doesn't really think Christianity is real. PrOvE mE wRonG!!!!!!!!!>>>!>!!! The Founders were what you would call Deists - as in, if there is a God that created us all, it is indifferent to the world, emphasizing rationalism and rejecting supernaturalism (e.g. Angels and Demons and all that bullshit).
Here are some more quotes from the Founders on religion!!!
"The government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.”
- John Adams.
"I do not believe in the creed professed by the Jewish Church, by the Roman Church, by the Greek Church, by the Turkish Church, by the Protestant Church, nor by any Church that I know of. My own mind is my own Church
All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit.
Science is the true theology."
-Thomas Paine
"The Christian god can easily be pictured as virtually the same god as the many ancient gods of past civilizations. The Christian god is a three headed monster; cruel, vengeful and capricious. If one wishes to know more of this raging, three headed beast-like god, one only needs to look at the caliber of people who say they serve him. They are always of two classes: fools and hypocrites.
I have examined all the known superstitions of the world, and I do not find in our particular superstition of Christianity one redeeming feature. They are all alike founded on fables and mythology.
Millions of innocent men, women and children, since the introduction of Christianity, have been burnt, tortured, fined and imprisoned; yet we have not advanced one inch towards uniformity. What has been the effect of coercion? To make one half the world fools, and the other half hypocrites. To support roguery and error all over the earth."
-Thomas Jefferson
"Lighthouses are more helpful than churches.
I have found Christian dogma unintelligible. Early in life, I absenteed myself from Christian assemblies."
-Benjamin Franklin
And finally, although not a founding father, the following gem is from Abraham Lincoln:
"The Bible is not my book nor Christianity my profession. I could never give assent to the long, complicated statements of Christian dogma."
June 10, 2024
Breathtakingly direct
Pete Hegseth’s forthright treatise on how the military has gone dangerously soft should scare every American. If even half of what he said is true, this country is in deep trouble. I believe that all he says in this book is accurate, and that America has reached a point in her existence that is critical: we do something now, or forever lose our freedom to do anything.
Pete Hegseth’s forthright treatise on how the military has gone dangerously soft should scare every American. If even half of what he said is true, this country is in deep trouble. I believe that all he says in this book is accurate, and that America has reached a point in her existence that is critical: we do something now, or forever lose our freedom to do anything.
July 15, 2024
The author is a well known media (television) newsman whose opinions are offered every weekend so most of what you read in this book is not going to be new, yet Hegseth is able to merge his military experiences and Ivy League education to clarify and defend his positions and suggest solutions to the dangerous flaws in the current defense establishment. His topics include civilian oversight , political senior officers,, DEI, women.in combat roles, etc. - all those currently controversial issues. He is a bit of a “throwback” to times when Strong Generals made and recommended actions to prepare their units to successfully complete assigned missions.
Four things stood out to me in this book.
(1) “Lower physical requirements to accommodate women in the military.”
(2) “A sitting Supreme Court Judge who publicly rejects military recruiters equal access to college campus years before appointment to the Court.”
(3 “Many Senior Military Officers have joined the dilution of military combat readiness to social engineering.
(4) “What do the American citizens expect of their armed forces and how will they get what they need.
As the third man to serve from three generations of a family that sent its civilian sons to defend freedom in Europe (WWI), the Pacific (WW2), and southeast Asia (Vietnam era), I was proud to serve and I find it difficult to disagree with many of Hegseth’s opinions. Mothers and Fathers of young military aged and women should all read this book.
Four things stood out to me in this book.
(1) “Lower physical requirements to accommodate women in the military.”
(2) “A sitting Supreme Court Judge who publicly rejects military recruiters equal access to college campus years before appointment to the Court.”
(3 “Many Senior Military Officers have joined the dilution of military combat readiness to social engineering.
(4) “What do the American citizens expect of their armed forces and how will they get what they need.
As the third man to serve from three generations of a family that sent its civilian sons to defend freedom in Europe (WWI), the Pacific (WW2), and southeast Asia (Vietnam era), I was proud to serve and I find it difficult to disagree with many of Hegseth’s opinions. Mothers and Fathers of young military aged and women should all read this book.
July 4, 2024
It amazes, and saddens, me to see the results and hear the stories of the men and women who have had politicians (it’s not the country as a whole) turn their back on them. So few cowards have so much power. The loathing that they have for others, and their own self loathing has driven us into the ground at this point. Hegseth’s book was a VERY intriguing look into some of the absurdities occurring within the ranks today and the reasons behind why - up until this point - none of it has been allowed. We’re losing sight of our concern for the collective, by becoming so obsessed with the individual, and not only has it already cost us, but it is going to continue to cost us. I can’t help but wonder how many people actually care about this given the way he actually presents each argument - there is no way that it is not already known by the innumerable we have in power. Selflessness has become selfishness; it’s a matter of what can be done for “me”, and not for “thee”, with thee representing the country and unit as a whole. It’s always interesting to me to see the individuals who witness something firsthand, have no bias against it, and then to hear the detractors. We are being set up for a failure on a level that absolutely terrifies me (see the rules for thee, but not for me discussed in Chapter 11 when it came to the Afghanistan pull out).
With the exception of the power hungry political hacks that caused everything mentioned by Pete in the book, God bless our troops.
With the exception of the power hungry political hacks that caused everything mentioned by Pete in the book, God bless our troops.
August 18, 2024
The War On Warriors
As a retired army veteran, Hegseth doesn’t trust this government, this commander in chief, or this Pentagon. After all, he signed up to fight extremists then was labeled one by the very army he served with, simply because of his religious and political views. One of his comrades summed it up by saying, “I love my country, it’s the government I can’t stand.”
“Our ability to live in peace and prosperity has always depended on guys (in the military) being honorable, powerful, and deadly… They are overtly working to rid the military of this specific (essential) type of young patriot. They believe power is bad, merit is unfair, ideology is more important than industriousness, white people are yesterday, and safety is better than risk-taking…Our enemies see (and applaud) what is happening…At a basic level, do we really want only the woke “diverse” recruits that the Biden administration is curating to be the ones with the guns and the guidons? But more than that, do we want those “diverse” recruits- pumped full of vaccines and even more poisonous ideologies- to be sharing a basic training bunk with sane Americans?...Powerful elites have leveraged their disdain for America to systematically confuse, neuter, and weaken the greatest fighting force for good this world has even seen. It happened, and is still happening, rapidly.”
He says that according to the Heritage Foundation Index of Military Strength for 2024: “as currently postured, the US military is at significant risk of not being able to defend America’s vital national interests.” For the second year in a row, our military is rated as “weak” relative to the force needed to defend national interests. Why is this? Woke ideology has been forced upon them.
A Marine Corps enlisted veteran stated, “In our force, It is impossible to do all the nonsense training…and also maintain our gunnery standards. Or vehicle maintenance training. You are naturally going to have to sacrifice training to do your political reeducation BS. There is only a finite amount of time.” The military is currently claiming fewer training accidents, BUT the reason is because there is…LESS TRAINING. More time than ever is being spent on social justice PowerPoint moralizing. It’s all going to s**t. It means we keep people in the classroom longer than we need to, and real training just gets delayed, or worse, NEVER HAPPENS. They say it is to make people feel “safe” but everybody knows- when the bullets start flying, this approach is going to make everybody LESS safe.”
Hegseth also explains that the gender integration of the military is a huge part of our modern confusion about the goals of war. The problem is that a more empathetic and effeminate military isn’t a more efficient one. It’s a more inefficient one, and that puts everyone at risk. Which again, is a really bad thing in the business of killing.
He says “the left is at war with the reality of differences between men and women, and the right, in a misguided effort to be chivalrous and inclusive, has forgotten basic truths about reality. Conservatives have caved in the face of self-evident realities about the limitations women face in combat. Common sense, out the window.”
Hegseth shares how the marines found that “women in the integrated unit were injured twice as often, less accurate with infantry weapons and not as good at removing wounded comrades from the line of fire. Units comprised of all men were faster than units with women at completing tactical movements, especially while carrying large “crew-served” weapons like machine guns and mortars (a study found- and printed in WaPo 10/15). But the left has ignored their Holy Grail: the science. Men have greater bone density, men have more muscle mass, and men have more lung capacity. Men are biologically stronger, faster, and bigger. These are established scientific facts, all of which are being completely ignored by the “party of science.”
Hegseth maintains that every single military training course in the name of gender “equity” is getting softer and easier. As is our military- softer and easier…to defeat. *”War isn’t about inclusion. It’s not about safety and empathy. It’s the terrible reality that exists when all law and order has broken down, and the only thing left is force. In that time, the goal must be winning- and reality. Not public relations.”
He goes on to say, “Recruits can enroll in college if they want more indoctrination, but instead they choose to serve… “ The definition of duty and public service has changed radically. Today more Americans would volunteer for an experimental vaccine than would join the military. Courage has surrended to safety, merit surrendered to equity, and honor surrendered to ideology.”
Re: “toxic masculinity”- “Just because the rest of our culture has gone soft and effeminate, and apologetic- doesn’t mean our military can afford to. Staying tough, manly, and unapologetically lethal is the lifeblood of the fighting man.”
Hegseth says (which I appreciate): “Real Truth doesn’t change. Not “your truth” or mine, but THE truth. Starting under Obama, and again under Biden, they are blindly imposing social and political goals, the Constitution be damned. But hey, maybe forcing noncommissioned officers to don fake breasts and plastic “empathy bellies” during training to understand how pregnant women feel – as the Army did in 2012 under Obama’s “transformation”) will help these guys kick some terrorist ass. Unfortunately, now these officers have to stand around and get lectured about their pronouns instead of enforcing basic standards. “As far as I’m concerned when it gets real, at war, you can’t spell DIE without D-E-I” (an officer told Hegseth).
He emphasizes that “leftist ideologies are trying to replace personal responsibility, self-reliance, and initiative with the entitlement mentality. They are working hard to transform the Constitution into a document that can be continually revised to accommodate the latest sociocultural trends. By mandating the instruction of Critical Race Theory to every citizen serving in the military, they establish Critical Race Theory as the fundamental principles upon which socialists demand soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, midshipmen, and cadets serve. The military indoctrination of CRT is considered necessary to prevent internal opposition to an attempted coup from within the ranks of the military (white extremism). CRT brands the founders as evil, the Constitution as illegitimate, and the Republic as systematically racist. It abolishes the Declaration of Independence that declares all men are created equal. It brands the population as racist, privileged, and unfit to enjoy the rights of citizenship. It is a call to overthrow the government we served to preserve freedom and government by, for, and of the people….It is time to speak truth to power. We either serve Duty, Honor, Country, or we challenge the demands of a secular revolution to fundamentally alter American transforming the Republic into a socialist police state.”
Finally, he forewarns that “if we give the social justice wokesters time to dig in- to entrench- then the American military will cease to exist as a real fighting force- except against our own people.” This is a scary and valid concern.
Overall, I found the book to be highly informative. It is downright maddening what is occurring, and even more frustrating that the media has propagandized the majority of the population to embrace it. The only reason I gave 4 instead of 5 stars is because he spent quite a bit of time near the end detailing some of the battles he was involved in, but some of the mechanics were lost on me (but I will say part of that could be because I was reading this section later at night).
As a retired army veteran, Hegseth doesn’t trust this government, this commander in chief, or this Pentagon. After all, he signed up to fight extremists then was labeled one by the very army he served with, simply because of his religious and political views. One of his comrades summed it up by saying, “I love my country, it’s the government I can’t stand.”
“Our ability to live in peace and prosperity has always depended on guys (in the military) being honorable, powerful, and deadly… They are overtly working to rid the military of this specific (essential) type of young patriot. They believe power is bad, merit is unfair, ideology is more important than industriousness, white people are yesterday, and safety is better than risk-taking…Our enemies see (and applaud) what is happening…At a basic level, do we really want only the woke “diverse” recruits that the Biden administration is curating to be the ones with the guns and the guidons? But more than that, do we want those “diverse” recruits- pumped full of vaccines and even more poisonous ideologies- to be sharing a basic training bunk with sane Americans?...Powerful elites have leveraged their disdain for America to systematically confuse, neuter, and weaken the greatest fighting force for good this world has even seen. It happened, and is still happening, rapidly.”
He says that according to the Heritage Foundation Index of Military Strength for 2024: “as currently postured, the US military is at significant risk of not being able to defend America’s vital national interests.” For the second year in a row, our military is rated as “weak” relative to the force needed to defend national interests. Why is this? Woke ideology has been forced upon them.
A Marine Corps enlisted veteran stated, “In our force, It is impossible to do all the nonsense training…and also maintain our gunnery standards. Or vehicle maintenance training. You are naturally going to have to sacrifice training to do your political reeducation BS. There is only a finite amount of time.” The military is currently claiming fewer training accidents, BUT the reason is because there is…LESS TRAINING. More time than ever is being spent on social justice PowerPoint moralizing. It’s all going to s**t. It means we keep people in the classroom longer than we need to, and real training just gets delayed, or worse, NEVER HAPPENS. They say it is to make people feel “safe” but everybody knows- when the bullets start flying, this approach is going to make everybody LESS safe.”
Hegseth also explains that the gender integration of the military is a huge part of our modern confusion about the goals of war. The problem is that a more empathetic and effeminate military isn’t a more efficient one. It’s a more inefficient one, and that puts everyone at risk. Which again, is a really bad thing in the business of killing.
He says “the left is at war with the reality of differences between men and women, and the right, in a misguided effort to be chivalrous and inclusive, has forgotten basic truths about reality. Conservatives have caved in the face of self-evident realities about the limitations women face in combat. Common sense, out the window.”
Hegseth shares how the marines found that “women in the integrated unit were injured twice as often, less accurate with infantry weapons and not as good at removing wounded comrades from the line of fire. Units comprised of all men were faster than units with women at completing tactical movements, especially while carrying large “crew-served” weapons like machine guns and mortars (a study found- and printed in WaPo 10/15). But the left has ignored their Holy Grail: the science. Men have greater bone density, men have more muscle mass, and men have more lung capacity. Men are biologically stronger, faster, and bigger. These are established scientific facts, all of which are being completely ignored by the “party of science.”
Hegseth maintains that every single military training course in the name of gender “equity” is getting softer and easier. As is our military- softer and easier…to defeat. *”War isn’t about inclusion. It’s not about safety and empathy. It’s the terrible reality that exists when all law and order has broken down, and the only thing left is force. In that time, the goal must be winning- and reality. Not public relations.”
He goes on to say, “Recruits can enroll in college if they want more indoctrination, but instead they choose to serve… “ The definition of duty and public service has changed radically. Today more Americans would volunteer for an experimental vaccine than would join the military. Courage has surrended to safety, merit surrendered to equity, and honor surrendered to ideology.”
Re: “toxic masculinity”- “Just because the rest of our culture has gone soft and effeminate, and apologetic- doesn’t mean our military can afford to. Staying tough, manly, and unapologetically lethal is the lifeblood of the fighting man.”
Hegseth says (which I appreciate): “Real Truth doesn’t change. Not “your truth” or mine, but THE truth. Starting under Obama, and again under Biden, they are blindly imposing social and political goals, the Constitution be damned. But hey, maybe forcing noncommissioned officers to don fake breasts and plastic “empathy bellies” during training to understand how pregnant women feel – as the Army did in 2012 under Obama’s “transformation”) will help these guys kick some terrorist ass. Unfortunately, now these officers have to stand around and get lectured about their pronouns instead of enforcing basic standards. “As far as I’m concerned when it gets real, at war, you can’t spell DIE without D-E-I” (an officer told Hegseth).
He emphasizes that “leftist ideologies are trying to replace personal responsibility, self-reliance, and initiative with the entitlement mentality. They are working hard to transform the Constitution into a document that can be continually revised to accommodate the latest sociocultural trends. By mandating the instruction of Critical Race Theory to every citizen serving in the military, they establish Critical Race Theory as the fundamental principles upon which socialists demand soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, midshipmen, and cadets serve. The military indoctrination of CRT is considered necessary to prevent internal opposition to an attempted coup from within the ranks of the military (white extremism). CRT brands the founders as evil, the Constitution as illegitimate, and the Republic as systematically racist. It abolishes the Declaration of Independence that declares all men are created equal. It brands the population as racist, privileged, and unfit to enjoy the rights of citizenship. It is a call to overthrow the government we served to preserve freedom and government by, for, and of the people….It is time to speak truth to power. We either serve Duty, Honor, Country, or we challenge the demands of a secular revolution to fundamentally alter American transforming the Republic into a socialist police state.”
Finally, he forewarns that “if we give the social justice wokesters time to dig in- to entrench- then the American military will cease to exist as a real fighting force- except against our own people.” This is a scary and valid concern.
Overall, I found the book to be highly informative. It is downright maddening what is occurring, and even more frustrating that the media has propagandized the majority of the population to embrace it. The only reason I gave 4 instead of 5 stars is because he spent quite a bit of time near the end detailing some of the battles he was involved in, but some of the mechanics were lost on me (but I will say part of that could be because I was reading this section later at night).
August 28, 2024
a difficult book to slog through if you're anything but a staunchly fox-news-level right-wing. i'm interested in the treatment of veterans/military personnel as a left-leaning non-American, but the author oversimplifies and polarizes this issue.
~oversimplification~
he claims that "wokeness" is the #1 factor significantly declining military enrollment. really? i would think that the US govt., who this directly impacts and who's job is to research this exact issue, would acknowledge that. except, they include other factors alongside the /perception/ of "wokeness" like increasing obesity, medical record processing/documentation slow downs, low unemployment rate, COVID-19, withdrawal from Afghanistan, limited geographic draw, accusations of "right-wing extremism," failure to digitally reach gen-Z, the "broken veteran" narrative, and overreliance on the military family pipeline. if you're going to claim that the main factor is "wokeness" here, readers who are not already convinced of your claim are going to need /concrete/ proof and evidence against the other factors.
hegseth has some valid points in this book, but this is mostly an opinion piece with limited citations to back up his claims. (i will acknowledge there are some studies included, and those are appreciated but not enough for the amount of claims he makes). a good chunk of the book isn't even arguments, it's stories from hegseth's past (his high school and varsity basketball career, his ivy league education, how he came to enroll in the army, how he came to quit the army, his deployment in iraq).
~polarization~
furthermore, all of his ideas are buried in inflammatory language rather than matter-of-fact explanations; the emotional (and moral) fervor in his narrative aren't conducive to invoking logic and reason in readers. i didn't get a clear sense of a call to action for civilians either. isn't hegseth, with his connections and fame, in a better position to try to enact change within the military/govt. than the average civilian? if i give him the benefit of the doubt, this book is meant to educate the public, but if i don't, i would accuse him of undermining the military he claims to love by eroding public trust in national institutions and polarizing right-wing readers specifically -- all without the proper facts to back up his argument or the respectful and level-headed tone needed to reach the widest audience.
throughout the book, he injects his own views on BLM protests, climate change, abortion, international peace law, women in the army, and more. this book isn't an example of a civil discussion about the issue. i would have really liked to see a piece on this subject rooted in research rather than anecdotes. much of his evidence is "some guy i interviewed from the army said it" which isn't all that convincing.
lastly, an aside on his views of women in the army -- he's all over the place, and it's frustrating as a reader. i feel like he can't make up his mind. does he support them in the military or not?
in his chapter dedicated to the topic, he makes it obvious that he thinks the army shouldn't lower physical requirements for female applicants. okay. but then he goes on with his narrative, at one point saying "boys [in the military] (and it should be boys)," as if maintaining physical requirements will exclude all female applicants -- there will definitely still be /some/ female military personnel who show they're qualified to fight on the front-lines. the only other evidence he gives against women in fighting divisions of the military are moral-based (ex: women should be nurturers, not killers. it goes against their nature).
~oversimplification~
he claims that "wokeness" is the #1 factor significantly declining military enrollment. really? i would think that the US govt., who this directly impacts and who's job is to research this exact issue, would acknowledge that. except, they include other factors alongside the /perception/ of "wokeness" like increasing obesity, medical record processing/documentation slow downs, low unemployment rate, COVID-19, withdrawal from Afghanistan, limited geographic draw, accusations of "right-wing extremism," failure to digitally reach gen-Z, the "broken veteran" narrative, and overreliance on the military family pipeline. if you're going to claim that the main factor is "wokeness" here, readers who are not already convinced of your claim are going to need /concrete/ proof and evidence against the other factors.
hegseth has some valid points in this book, but this is mostly an opinion piece with limited citations to back up his claims. (i will acknowledge there are some studies included, and those are appreciated but not enough for the amount of claims he makes). a good chunk of the book isn't even arguments, it's stories from hegseth's past (his high school and varsity basketball career, his ivy league education, how he came to enroll in the army, how he came to quit the army, his deployment in iraq).
~polarization~
furthermore, all of his ideas are buried in inflammatory language rather than matter-of-fact explanations; the emotional (and moral) fervor in his narrative aren't conducive to invoking logic and reason in readers. i didn't get a clear sense of a call to action for civilians either. isn't hegseth, with his connections and fame, in a better position to try to enact change within the military/govt. than the average civilian? if i give him the benefit of the doubt, this book is meant to educate the public, but if i don't, i would accuse him of undermining the military he claims to love by eroding public trust in national institutions and polarizing right-wing readers specifically -- all without the proper facts to back up his argument or the respectful and level-headed tone needed to reach the widest audience.
throughout the book, he injects his own views on BLM protests, climate change, abortion, international peace law, women in the army, and more. this book isn't an example of a civil discussion about the issue. i would have really liked to see a piece on this subject rooted in research rather than anecdotes. much of his evidence is "some guy i interviewed from the army said it" which isn't all that convincing.
lastly, an aside on his views of women in the army -- he's all over the place, and it's frustrating as a reader. i feel like he can't make up his mind. does he support them in the military or not?
in his chapter dedicated to the topic, he makes it obvious that he thinks the army shouldn't lower physical requirements for female applicants. okay. but then he goes on with his narrative, at one point saying "boys [in the military] (and it should be boys)," as if maintaining physical requirements will exclude all female applicants -- there will definitely still be /some/ female military personnel who show they're qualified to fight on the front-lines. the only other evidence he gives against women in fighting divisions of the military are moral-based (ex: women should be nurturers, not killers. it goes against their nature).
June 21, 2024
Up front clarification: I did not finish reading this book. At the bookstore, I picked this book up, skimmed the jacket, put it down, browsed around, picked it back up, added it to my pile, then retreated to a table to skim, review, and otherwise decide which of the books on my pile I'd get. I spent a long time on this book. I sped-read through a couple of chapters to get their essence. While I agree with the author's assertions about the state of the US military, I have issues with his messaging, and the chapter entitled "The (Deadly) Obsession with Women Warriors" was my stopping point.
I entered active duty in the waning Reagan years. I was a naive 2Lt who had to learn my role while the US was snarled in Opn El Dorado Canyon, Chernobyl "fall out", Opns Earnest Will & Just Cause, the Cold War, and a whole lot of 'low-intensity conflict.' Throughout my 20+ years of active duty, I worked hard, I strived to be the best damn leader I could be, and I accomplished much I am proud of, but won't talk about. My military service mattered.
Sure, during those years I saw a bunch of changes in the 'social' aspects of the military because fortunately and unfortunately, those who serve are a captive population. And while they are taught that their politics have no bearing when they put on their uniform, the politics of our nation's civilian leaders don't recognize the same prohibition. Military members are marionettes for our national leadership's "experiments". More than once I told troops that our ethos was strong and we could withstand the whims of the politics. Although I do fear for the current state of the military ethos as the "experiments" have gone too far.
Now, my issue with this book: Misogyny was strong when I was commissioned in 1986, but it wasn't as bad as it was in 1980, or in 1972, or all prior years of women serving. When allowed, women-warriors stood up to the challenges they were presented and were strengthened. Should women fight in combat? I don't know.; not all women have the 'stuff' for combat -- just as not all men have the stuff to be SEALS, or pilots, or submariners. The sign of good leadership is to recognize the strengths and weakness of troops (female & male), and to exploit the hell out of the strengths. (I'm not sniper material, but I am very good at reconnaissance - which was my thing. Likewise, I was never good at acquiring supplies, but I had a SSgt who could find parkas in the desert and mosquito netting in Alaska.)
Hegseth is an old-school misogynist, plain and simple, who thinks his experience with one unit - a National Guard unit - is enough to warrant expertise about all-things-military. I tried, but I just couldn't do his book.
I entered active duty in the waning Reagan years. I was a naive 2Lt who had to learn my role while the US was snarled in Opn El Dorado Canyon, Chernobyl "fall out", Opns Earnest Will & Just Cause, the Cold War, and a whole lot of 'low-intensity conflict.' Throughout my 20+ years of active duty, I worked hard, I strived to be the best damn leader I could be, and I accomplished much I am proud of, but won't talk about. My military service mattered.
Sure, during those years I saw a bunch of changes in the 'social' aspects of the military because fortunately and unfortunately, those who serve are a captive population. And while they are taught that their politics have no bearing when they put on their uniform, the politics of our nation's civilian leaders don't recognize the same prohibition. Military members are marionettes for our national leadership's "experiments". More than once I told troops that our ethos was strong and we could withstand the whims of the politics. Although I do fear for the current state of the military ethos as the "experiments" have gone too far.
Now, my issue with this book: Misogyny was strong when I was commissioned in 1986, but it wasn't as bad as it was in 1980, or in 1972, or all prior years of women serving. When allowed, women-warriors stood up to the challenges they were presented and were strengthened. Should women fight in combat? I don't know.; not all women have the 'stuff' for combat -- just as not all men have the stuff to be SEALS, or pilots, or submariners. The sign of good leadership is to recognize the strengths and weakness of troops (female & male), and to exploit the hell out of the strengths. (I'm not sniper material, but I am very good at reconnaissance - which was my thing. Likewise, I was never good at acquiring supplies, but I had a SSgt who could find parkas in the desert and mosquito netting in Alaska.)
Hegseth is an old-school misogynist, plain and simple, who thinks his experience with one unit - a National Guard unit - is enough to warrant expertise about all-things-military. I tried, but I just couldn't do his book.
August 1, 2024
(1.5 stars) (Audiobook) That this author is regular contributor to Fox News and has written several other books decrying the ills of the leftist woke mob should tell you exactly how this one is going to go. Saw where some very conservative social media contacts lauded this one. So, for diversification of viewpoints and being prior military, I decided to give this one a chance. Within the first chapter, Hegseth hits all of the key conservative/right wing buzzwords…you would claim instant buzzword bingo. From there, it goes about as much as you would expect, noting how the leftist, Marxist, woke enemies of the Republic, in particularly Barack Obama and Joe Biden are weakening the military from within and that the evil, vile threat of Wokeness is the real enemy of America. He basically can’t go a few paragraphs without leveraging those buzzwords. Thus, this work will not do much more than reaffirm world views (either that Hegseth is “right” on target, or that he is yet another MAGA-ite using yet another book to preach to the right wing mobs that decry the left).
Unfortunately, his distracting language submarines any potential reason or logic for his arguments. The testimonials from other soldiers and some of the key stats are glossed over so he can go again on the attack of the woke mob (never mind that he doesn’t define “woke” or any of those other terms). There could be some potential persuasion with transgender and women in combat, but even then, he kills any chance for reason as if he is trying to compete with a Newmax program. Interesting how he notes that Israel is the exception for using women in combat roles, but as he is excoriating how the “left” is shoving women in combat down our throats, he doesn’t go back to Israel and their use of women in front line combat. Seems to work out well for them. Ah well, not enough room to blast the left woke mob (also, I don’t think anyone use woke more than the Right, but aside over).
I won’t disagree that we do have an issue with generals/admirals not being held accountable, as seen with Afghanistan. So, I can’t complete trash the work, but I can only take so much of the Fox News preaching and had to stop. If I wanted that, I’ll just watch the news program. Clearly this work will not change any minds and will only reinforce certain world views. Also, based on the author’s personal history, some of his calls to morality and higher virtue ring incredibly hollow. He does have some personal axes to grind, which also takes away from any potential acceptance of his arguments outside of the target, right-wing audience. I suspect there are better, less Fox News/buzzwordy/dog-whistle type works that cover these issues. Stick to those.
Unfortunately, his distracting language submarines any potential reason or logic for his arguments. The testimonials from other soldiers and some of the key stats are glossed over so he can go again on the attack of the woke mob (never mind that he doesn’t define “woke” or any of those other terms). There could be some potential persuasion with transgender and women in combat, but even then, he kills any chance for reason as if he is trying to compete with a Newmax program. Interesting how he notes that Israel is the exception for using women in combat roles, but as he is excoriating how the “left” is shoving women in combat down our throats, he doesn’t go back to Israel and their use of women in front line combat. Seems to work out well for them. Ah well, not enough room to blast the left woke mob (also, I don’t think anyone use woke more than the Right, but aside over).
I won’t disagree that we do have an issue with generals/admirals not being held accountable, as seen with Afghanistan. So, I can’t complete trash the work, but I can only take so much of the Fox News preaching and had to stop. If I wanted that, I’ll just watch the news program. Clearly this work will not change any minds and will only reinforce certain world views. Also, based on the author’s personal history, some of his calls to morality and higher virtue ring incredibly hollow. He does have some personal axes to grind, which also takes away from any potential acceptance of his arguments outside of the target, right-wing audience. I suspect there are better, less Fox News/buzzwordy/dog-whistle type works that cover these issues. Stick to those.
August 12, 2024
This may not be a book for everyone. (I seem drawn to this type of read). If you believe the focus of the military is skilled combat readiness and duty to the Constitution rather than bowing to political correctness and DEI, this book is NOT for you. The author is a Princeton grad, a veteran of Wall Street AND Afghanistan, Iraq, and Guantanamo Bay where he holds two Bronze Stars and a Combat Infantryman's Badge. He is also the host of "Fox & Friends Weekend" and multiple programs on FOX Nation. He has been a guest panelist on other networks, and written several books, including "Battle for the American Mind". This book is a result of his years serving our country, his love of leading men into battle, interviews of his fellow soldiers, and observations of the behavioral changes in the military over time. Beginning with the repeal of Clinton era "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in the Obama administration, a foothold to include women and transgenders in combat was established. Hegseth has no problem with women or trans people in the military, just not in battle for the simple reason of bodily differences with the former and the lack of a ready medication supply for the latter. Bottom line: the mission is endangered with casualties the result. Hegseth laments the skills and readiness training sessions sacrificed to endless hours of DEI training and CRT indoctrination. His observation is that soldiers prefer to be TRAINED and PURPOSEFUL rather than DIVERSE and INCLUDED. While he praises the troops, he excoriates the feckless woke leadership of Sec. Def. Austin; former Joint Chiefs Milley with his need to understand "white rage"; and the current race-focused Joint Chiefs CQ Brown. In contrast, Hegseth recalls the bravery of soldiers in former wars and the wise, compassionate leadership of Union General Joshua Chamberlain (about whom I had previously read as leader in the pre-Gettysburg Battle of Little Round Top). There is a heartwarming story of Chamberlain's mercy at the end of the book. And there is irony: the author joined the military in 2001 to fight extremists; in 2021 he was declared to be one due to the politics of the ruling class and the misreading of his tattoo! The author draws a parallel between the covenantal relationships as documented in the Bible (story of Gideon) with the one our soldier/warriors embrace in the defense of our country. While much of the book discusses his dismay over the current state of the woke virus infecting both service academies and the military, Hegseth concludes with a hopeful note and the loving wisdom of a father in his letter to his 4 sons. I liked the book but it made me angry.
August 25, 2024
From the perspective of an uninformed observer, I can understand how this book might resonate with certain readers. However, as a fellow service member who has deployed and served within the Special Operations community—rather than merely discussing it in a book—I find the perspective offered here to be just as narrow-minded, bigoted, and misogynistic as many female service members have unfortunately grown accustomed to within certain combat-arms circles. Women have consistently played a significant role in our nation’s defense, and the fact that Hegseth so vehemently dismisses this critical segment of our military is not just an oversight but a willful disregard for the immense contributions that women have made to the foundation of our nation. This blindness to the indispensable role of women in safeguarding our freedoms is a disservice to those silent professionals who have continuously ensured our nation’s security.
Hegseth is quick to cite instances where women have supposedly fallen short in military situations, all while conveniently ignoring the far more frequent failures and blunders made by men—a glaring omission that undermines the credibility of his argument. Indeed, there are points in the book that could be considered valid, such as the critique of the military's evolution into a social experiment focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion, potentially at the expense of its lethal capabilities. The emphasis on individual expression may have overshadowed the warfighter function and the principles of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Yet, Hegseth falls into the very trap he accuses others of - making broad generalizations, perpetuating stereotypes, and speaking on matters where his experience is evidently lacking. His hypocrisy is palpable, and it diminishes the respect one might otherwise afford him.
The underlying message of his book seems to be that women belong in traditional domestic roles while men are solely responsible for fighting and thinking. It’s a tired narrative, often echoed by those who believe the loudest voice should carry the most weight, regardless of the substance behind it. In the Special Operations community, we have colorful terms for individuals who are so spectacularly uninformed, but I trust that Hegseth, with his National Guard background and Ivy League education, can figure those out on his own. As for me—clearly, a mere vapid woman—I suppose I’ll just take my allegedly ineffective self-back to the kitchen, where, according to Hegseth, I apparently belong.
Hegseth is quick to cite instances where women have supposedly fallen short in military situations, all while conveniently ignoring the far more frequent failures and blunders made by men—a glaring omission that undermines the credibility of his argument. Indeed, there are points in the book that could be considered valid, such as the critique of the military's evolution into a social experiment focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion, potentially at the expense of its lethal capabilities. The emphasis on individual expression may have overshadowed the warfighter function and the principles of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Yet, Hegseth falls into the very trap he accuses others of - making broad generalizations, perpetuating stereotypes, and speaking on matters where his experience is evidently lacking. His hypocrisy is palpable, and it diminishes the respect one might otherwise afford him.
The underlying message of his book seems to be that women belong in traditional domestic roles while men are solely responsible for fighting and thinking. It’s a tired narrative, often echoed by those who believe the loudest voice should carry the most weight, regardless of the substance behind it. In the Special Operations community, we have colorful terms for individuals who are so spectacularly uninformed, but I trust that Hegseth, with his National Guard background and Ivy League education, can figure those out on his own. As for me—clearly, a mere vapid woman—I suppose I’ll just take my allegedly ineffective self-back to the kitchen, where, according to Hegseth, I apparently belong.
August 20, 2024
This book had very few references throughout and was mostly opinion-based or based on mainstream media. I’m not saying ALL of it was misinformation, but there were definitely parts missing context, especially in the chapter about women in combat jobs.
As a woman in a combat job, I have had the pleasure of working with many women who have been in combat and are fantastic at what they do, as well as people who excel in their job even though they have not yet been to combat. The lowering of physical fitness standards was the big one for me that was missing context. The author claims the standards are low for women (which they are) but the Army Combat Fitness Test has the same minimum standards for men and women. As a noncommissioned officer, I’ve had to grade these PT tests and have women that outperform men on the test (not every woman, of course, but it happens frequently).
There were plenty of things in this book I agreed with, so I’m not saying it was a bad book overall, I’d just urge people to take things with a grain of salt, do your own research, and don’t believe everything you read. This is a Fox News publication, and we all know mass media on both sides plays to their particular base and doesn’t always tell the whole story.
The lower rating I gave for this book was based on the author’s lack of using references, repetitive content (this book could’ve been about 50-75 pages shorter than it was), and the clear distaste for women in combat jobs. Yes, that part is probably petty, but as a service member myself and the girlfriend of a combat veteran who worked with women in combat and had nothing but respect for them, I find the author’s opinion to be a bit sexist.
For reference (although it shouldn’t matter), I’m a more conservative leaning independent. I do not align with the Republicans or the Democrats. This review is my personal opinion, and this book was clearly Pete Hegseth’s. I am thankful for his service to this country, but I’m allowed to disagree with some of his statements in his book.
As a woman in a combat job, I have had the pleasure of working with many women who have been in combat and are fantastic at what they do, as well as people who excel in their job even though they have not yet been to combat. The lowering of physical fitness standards was the big one for me that was missing context. The author claims the standards are low for women (which they are) but the Army Combat Fitness Test has the same minimum standards for men and women. As a noncommissioned officer, I’ve had to grade these PT tests and have women that outperform men on the test (not every woman, of course, but it happens frequently).
There were plenty of things in this book I agreed with, so I’m not saying it was a bad book overall, I’d just urge people to take things with a grain of salt, do your own research, and don’t believe everything you read. This is a Fox News publication, and we all know mass media on both sides plays to their particular base and doesn’t always tell the whole story.
The lower rating I gave for this book was based on the author’s lack of using references, repetitive content (this book could’ve been about 50-75 pages shorter than it was), and the clear distaste for women in combat jobs. Yes, that part is probably petty, but as a service member myself and the girlfriend of a combat veteran who worked with women in combat and had nothing but respect for them, I find the author’s opinion to be a bit sexist.
For reference (although it shouldn’t matter), I’m a more conservative leaning independent. I do not align with the Republicans or the Democrats. This review is my personal opinion, and this book was clearly Pete Hegseth’s. I am thankful for his service to this country, but I’m allowed to disagree with some of his statements in his book.
August 21, 2024
Hegseth is dead on when he speaks of the poison that is DEI and he can do so from experience.
Okay haters, there's your tag line. Now go back to the teachers lounge and plan how to pressure the next round of small children into taking puberty blockers and other poisons.
Anyways, the author's experiences are the result of the slow grind that lib/progs put the entire country through with the military finally giving in as well. Hegseth points out where the inclusivity nonsense began with Don't Ask Don't Tell and then they supposedly turned on Clinton to push the agenda further.
One point that he misses is that the bedrock of real military equality was cracked down to the foundation when Clinton laughed off getting caught with his in the intern cookie jar. Pun intended. I was a Captain in the USAF back then and leadership spent weeks and months trying to justify why it was okay for him to do something that every officer and NCO could have been court-martialed over if they didn't immediately offer to resign.
We all knew he couldn't be prosecuted. If our Colonels and Generals had just said "He's a civilian and you're not" that would have been fine. Perhaps throw in a "$#!^ Happens" and that would have been the end of it. The problem was that he lied under oath and no one wanted to talk about that. Anytime one of us tried bringing it up, the conversation was pushed back to the activity and a few people even got warned to shut it. IMHO, this is what provided the fertile soil for planting CRT and DEI a few years later.
My one problem with the book is that there are no footnotes or appendix. Readers need to be able to get to the source material to put forth a better defense when challenged on the lack of merits to DEI and CRT.
Otherwise, great job, Pete! Keep 'em flying!
Highly recommended for readers interesting in the military and recent military history.
Find it! Buy it! READ IT!
Okay haters, there's your tag line. Now go back to the teachers lounge and plan how to pressure the next round of small children into taking puberty blockers and other poisons.
Anyways, the author's experiences are the result of the slow grind that lib/progs put the entire country through with the military finally giving in as well. Hegseth points out where the inclusivity nonsense began with Don't Ask Don't Tell and then they supposedly turned on Clinton to push the agenda further.
One point that he misses is that the bedrock of real military equality was cracked down to the foundation when Clinton laughed off getting caught with his in the intern cookie jar. Pun intended. I was a Captain in the USAF back then and leadership spent weeks and months trying to justify why it was okay for him to do something that every officer and NCO could have been court-martialed over if they didn't immediately offer to resign.
We all knew he couldn't be prosecuted. If our Colonels and Generals had just said "He's a civilian and you're not" that would have been fine. Perhaps throw in a "$#!^ Happens" and that would have been the end of it. The problem was that he lied under oath and no one wanted to talk about that. Anytime one of us tried bringing it up, the conversation was pushed back to the activity and a few people even got warned to shut it. IMHO, this is what provided the fertile soil for planting CRT and DEI a few years later.
My one problem with the book is that there are no footnotes or appendix. Readers need to be able to get to the source material to put forth a better defense when challenged on the lack of merits to DEI and CRT.
Otherwise, great job, Pete! Keep 'em flying!
Highly recommended for readers interesting in the military and recent military history.
Find it! Buy it! READ IT!
August 28, 2024
The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free presents itself as a serious critique of military policy, but it quickly reveals itself to be a misogynistic diatribe, steeped in baseless accusations and thinly veiled contempt for women who serve in the military. The author's arguments lack factual grounding and instead rely on tired, outdated stereotypes that have no place in modern discourse.
Rather than offering a thoughtful analysis of military readiness or policy, the book perpetuates the harmful myth that women weaken the armed forces. This is not only untrue but also an insult to the countless women who have proven their capability, bravery, and patriotism in combat and beyond. The text reads less like a legitimate critique and more like an attempt to undermine the progress toward equity in the military.
The author's clear disdain for women in uniform reflects a broader and disturbing trend of misogyny in certain circles, where the contributions of female service members are dismissed or belittled without cause. In truth, this book is nothing more than a vehicle for perpetuating hatred and fear, designed to keep women from achieving the respect and recognition they deserve in the military.
In summary, The War on Warriors is not a serious work of analysis but rather a repugnant reflection of the misogyny that persists in some parts of society. It does nothing to advance meaningful discussion about military policy and instead serves only to propagate harmful, unfounded biases against women in the armed forces.
Rather than offering a thoughtful analysis of military readiness or policy, the book perpetuates the harmful myth that women weaken the armed forces. This is not only untrue but also an insult to the countless women who have proven their capability, bravery, and patriotism in combat and beyond. The text reads less like a legitimate critique and more like an attempt to undermine the progress toward equity in the military.
The author's clear disdain for women in uniform reflects a broader and disturbing trend of misogyny in certain circles, where the contributions of female service members are dismissed or belittled without cause. In truth, this book is nothing more than a vehicle for perpetuating hatred and fear, designed to keep women from achieving the respect and recognition they deserve in the military.
In summary, The War on Warriors is not a serious work of analysis but rather a repugnant reflection of the misogyny that persists in some parts of society. It does nothing to advance meaningful discussion about military policy and instead serves only to propagate harmful, unfounded biases against women in the armed forces.
August 17, 2024
I found this book a very easy yet concerning read. I wish that the stories in this book weren’t true but I fear that they are (if not, wouldn’t Hegseth have been sued for libel?), and what it means for the country. The future is worrisome regardless of who is in power, but the light shone upon our previous leaders is incredibly concerning. Some of the editorializations could undermine his strong arguments and could be fuel for detractors, but those comments aside, the book should worry people at the state of affairs we find ourselves in. When relatives of mine are pulled from faraway states to do the job of a DC National Guardsman because the government deems that person an extremist for being a TV personality and having faith-based tattoos I start to have a problem with the politicization of our military. Not to mention the fact that we spend ridiculous money on our military expenditures only to undermine their efforts in the ways described in the book; all of this made me gravely concerned for the way forward.
September 1, 2024
The warrior speaking.
It's disgusting what has happened to the leadership in the branches of the Armed Forces in the USA since my birth in 1948.
The citizens of a nation do not have to have/hold/force redefinitions and other vile societal restraining inputs to collapse the business for which they (the military)were formed in the first place.
It's difficult to read and I doubt more than 2 out of 10 adults would start to understand about 50% of it. Because it clashes with the propaganda they have swallowed whole piece and also some in vast related parcels re Marxism and Communism. But not only that but all the anti-religious and God beliefs which exist did further negation, as well. Our military has become trashed to its largest purposes.
Destruction does happen from the inside out.
It's disgusting what has happened to the leadership in the branches of the Armed Forces in the USA since my birth in 1948.
The citizens of a nation do not have to have/hold/force redefinitions and other vile societal restraining inputs to collapse the business for which they (the military)were formed in the first place.
It's difficult to read and I doubt more than 2 out of 10 adults would start to understand about 50% of it. Because it clashes with the propaganda they have swallowed whole piece and also some in vast related parcels re Marxism and Communism. But not only that but all the anti-religious and God beliefs which exist did further negation, as well. Our military has become trashed to its largest purposes.
Destruction does happen from the inside out.
July 25, 2024
A clear view of today's military and how politics and woke policies are destroying the very fiber of the military. This rot seems to be pervasive through the military academies as well as all branches of the service. I respect Hegseth's opinion as he has been there, done that and knows what is involved in having a strong and focused military. Reducing standards isn't the answer and the recruitment number reflect this disrespect and softening of the military. I don't agree with everything Pete says in the book, however, he paints as clear and concise picture of how the left is taking over the military and it is chilling. It is an eye opening read, and I respect the man for writing this book and appreciate his service to the country as well as enjoying him on Fox.
June 17, 2024
Holey guacamole. Lt. Hegseth tells it like it is. I did not enjoy this book--it made me furious to read about the gov't eviscerating our military. What are they going to do when war here at home breaks out? They are like the "Defund the Police idiots", then when THEIR house gets hit by a gun-toting intruder, they yell, "Help, police, save me!"
China is on the move, terrorists are setting up shop in our cities, Russian warships are prowling in the Caribbean, and the military is being lectured on CRT and DEI. WTH! Pray people, pray that this debacle can be reversed, and fast., or our country is lost.
China is on the move, terrorists are setting up shop in our cities, Russian warships are prowling in the Caribbean, and the military is being lectured on CRT and DEI. WTH! Pray people, pray that this debacle can be reversed, and fast., or our country is lost.
July 10, 2024
Pete is a true American Patriot who loves his God, Country & Family. It’s sad to see younger generations not being taught what a great country we live in. Pete exposes the woke military & present administration who have dumbed down our greatest source of strength & freedom…. Our Military. Don’t give up but rather fight on for the good of our country. A well written book with insight on how DEI is destroying us from within. We are a weakened nation because of this administration & its policies. Time to take the country back and let the true warriors protect us. Bravo Pete!!!
July 17, 2024
This was a tiring read as so much is said over and over again, using different words but the same message. While some of it may be important messages such as the danger of CRT and DIE, it gets lost in the rant. The information about the military academies falling to the woke agenda, just like "regular" colleges and universities have done, was disturbing. The lack of adequate military leaders who take the necessity of a strong military seriously is scary. However, the author's bias against women in combat, even if they can qualify under male standards, is demeaning.
August 7, 2024
I found the book to be intriguing, and Pete is spot on in some of his points. However, I disagree with his thoughts on women in combat. No one should be barred from service (some exclusions apply-criminals, radicals, etc) but the military should get back to one standard. Of women want to serve in the infantry, and they can meet the standards - I’m all for it. If they want to serve in a rear area - a lower standard should be applied. Overall, Pete makes some good points, but I did at times find the book to be a rant. Overall - I give the book 3.5/5.
August 15, 2024
Today's WOKE Miltary
I served three years in our Army of 1962 until 1965, during the "cold war." IT was a highly disciplined, structured, soldier, and warrior making military. I came out with direction in life, knowing what profession I wanted to be in, law enforcement! The Vermont State Police gave military preference to my hiring, knowing the training I had received.
Pete is spot on. Today's Army is not the Army I served in. Those of you served in whatever branch will thoroughly enjoy this read! The rest of you will be enlightened as to what has happened to it.
I served three years in our Army of 1962 until 1965, during the "cold war." IT was a highly disciplined, structured, soldier, and warrior making military. I came out with direction in life, knowing what profession I wanted to be in, law enforcement! The Vermont State Police gave military preference to my hiring, knowing the training I had received.
Pete is spot on. Today's Army is not the Army I served in. Those of you served in whatever branch will thoroughly enjoy this read! The rest of you will be enlightened as to what has happened to it.
September 2, 2024
I read books for entertainment and education and also for my own knowledge of certain topics I gave this book 5 stars not because of how well it was written but because of the message it portrayed I served in the Navy during the Vietnam conflict and my Grandfathers and Uncles and my Father all served with Distinction this book spoke to how important it is to have our Military strong and free from politics and politicians this book is a must read for all Americans who still believe in freedom and God and what our framers intended he was right in so many things he wrote and exposed.
June 24, 2024
Hegseth's book "The War on Warriors" is a sobering first-hand account of the "state of affairs" of America's Armed Forces. As a retired Vet, I can personally for a lot of what the author writes about. Our Nation's leadership seems more concerned with using a military as a virtue signaling platform than as a lethal fighting force. A must-read for Veterans and anyone concerned about the direction of our country.
June 27, 2024
Why DID and GET should not matter in the US military.
Mr. Hegseth exposure of the military culture today is extremely enlightening and frightening. How can we expect to be protected by a military that is more untreated in it,s members feelings than fighting wars. Soldiers, sailors, airmen and coastguards men need to know that the officers have the knowledge and experience to give them the best changes to return home after serving in a war zone.
Mr. Hegseth exposure of the military culture today is extremely enlightening and frightening. How can we expect to be protected by a military that is more untreated in it,s members feelings than fighting wars. Soldiers, sailors, airmen and coastguards men need to know that the officers have the knowledge and experience to give them the best changes to return home after serving in a war zone.
June 28, 2024
Perspective of what it’s like in the military today from an experienced and decorated veteran. I find it frightening to read how the military is crumbling and its core values have been greatly compromised by the new government mandates. The safety and security of this country and of our freedom is more than ever at risk. Recommend this book but it is not very uplifting or compelling so I only gave 3.5 stars.
July 1, 2024
Reviewed by a retired Army Chaplain
I wish that every army officer and noncommission officer would read this book. This book opened my eyes on the severity of the problem are Military now faces men and women who love this nation need to do what is necessary to correct this problem it will be difficult, but it must be done, please help me in giving this book to as many military personnel as possible.
I wish that every army officer and noncommission officer would read this book. This book opened my eyes on the severity of the problem are Military now faces men and women who love this nation need to do what is necessary to correct this problem it will be difficult, but it must be done, please help me in giving this book to as many military personnel as possible.
July 3, 2024
Didn’t know who the author was when I got the audiobook from the library.
I’m a Libertarian, and don’t prefer either party. I probably agree with a lot of what the author believes, but he comes out yelling and preaching. I didn’t last long…DNF.
I googled the author and between pretty boi + FOX + already married 3 times (including F’g around on wife #2 with FOX colleagues/whatever), realized, duh, he has an Agenda.
I’m a Libertarian, and don’t prefer either party. I probably agree with a lot of what the author believes, but he comes out yelling and preaching. I didn’t last long…DNF.
I googled the author and between pretty boi + FOX + already married 3 times (including F’g around on wife #2 with FOX colleagues/whatever), realized, duh, he has an Agenda.
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