Hegseth Orders Military to Embrace ‘Warrior Ethos’ in New Directive

U.S. Military Leadership Undergoes Significant Changes at Quantico Meeting

In an extraordinary assembly at Marine Corps Base Quantico, nearly 800 high-ranking military officials gathered under orders from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. This unprecedented event, which took place on September 30, marked a pivotal moment in military policy direction and leadership expectations.

In a recent directive, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has mandated that military personnel engage with his recent address at Quantico, Virginia. During his speech, Hegseth criticized the previous “woke” policies, emphasized the need for physical fitness among military ranks, and urged female soldiers to meet the highest male standards.

The directive, also known as the “Warrior Ethos Tasking,” includes a link to the speech video and updated policy documents, which outline goals for boosting physical readiness and grooming standards. The memo emphasizes, “All commanders must document the completion of the Warrior Ethos Tasking in a Memorandum for Record.”

According to a Defense Department official, who spoke anonymously, the memo is intended to reinforce the guidance given in Hegseth’s speech. The official stated, “The Secretary’s speech was for the whole force and this memo just reinforces that guidance.”

The Shift from Defense to War

Hegseth’s speech, delivered on a stage with a large American flag backdrop, was a call for a cultural shift within the military. He declared, “Today we end the war on warriors,” and announced the renaming of the Department of Defense to the Department of War, hinting at a more assertive military stance.

Criticizing the promotion of military leaders based on identity factors, Hegseth stated, “Frankly, it’s tiring to look out at combat formations, or really any formation, and see fat troops. Likewise, it’s completely unacceptable to see fat generals and admirals in the halls of the Pentagon.”

He further remarked, “Today is another liberation day, the liberation of America’s warriors. You are not politically correct and don’t necessarily always belong in polite society. We are purpose built.”

The assembled generals and admirals maintained a stoic demeanor during the speech, a behavior that continued during President Trump’s subsequent address. Trump remarked, “I never walked into a room so silent before. If you want to applaud, you applaud. You can do anything you want.”

A source informed NPR that prior to the speeches, General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, instructed the officers to remain expressionless, akin to their conduct during the State of the Union to uphold the military’s nonpartisan tradition.