Thank you.

Anonymous Source said:

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Generals gather in their masses
Hegseth calls them all fat asses….

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He didn't call them fat asses. But military members are supposed to have integrity. So if they are overweight they need to be held to the same standards and every other Tom, Dick and Harry. Standards should be met by all, not just the low ranking soldiers.

If the shoe fits.... And all that.

lurker76 said:

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I haven't seen the whole speech yet but caught some coverage on the news last night. I thought I heard something about a change in the rules of engagement.

Would some of you please discuss that. I've felt for years that America imposed some of the worst conditions for our armed forces to engage in combat. It feels ever since Viet Nam we've restricted ourselves too severely. If we are going to put our fighting forces in harm's way, let them defend themselves to the best of their ability.

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Here's a personal example of ridiculous ROE. On my first deployment I was with a transportation company running convoys the length of Iraq. Our ROE changed on a daily basis based on what we got briefed before being released by the MTC. One day, it would be "no engaging without positive ID of hostile intent and hostile action". In other words, you had to see someone point a weapon at you and they had to shoot first. The next day, it would be "engage anyone wearing a green or yellow armband"
(Mahdi Army). Then back to hostile fire/hostile intent. Some days they would only have to show hostile intent. Some days you'd have to actually have rounds strike your vehicle before you could shoot back. One day we were told to engage and destroy any grey Mercedes sedan we saw on sight. No explanation why. Two days later, that was rescinded. Again, no explanation.

will25u said:

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Anonymous Source said:

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Generals gather in their masses
Hegseth calls them all fat asses….

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He didn't call them fat asses. But military members are supposed to have integrity. So if they are overweight they need to be held to the same standards and every other Tom, Dick and Harry. Standards should be met by all, not just the low ranking soldiers.

If the shoe fits.... And all that.

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I think this one went over you.

My time in the military was long ago, >50 years, pre A&M. I was in 3 years reaching E5 in the 1/26 Inf, 1st Inf Div. My highest award was an ARCOM. Looking back on it, I think we had a strong warrior ethos, though it was not as great as in my dad's and uncles' generation, They fought in WWII. In my time it was easy to see that ethos was absent in some of the support units. I think that's when the softness started creeping in.

I read Pete Hegseth's books. I fully support his mission to restore the warrior ethos thoughout our Armed Forces. Things appear to me to have eroded to the point it's a Herculean task. I think he's a tough enough SOB to make a damn good start. I think he sent a strong message to everyone down to every soldier, sailor, marine, and airman. I just hope his successors will be just as tough-minded on this critical mission.

Watching those columns of Chinese soldiers marching in Beijing should be message enough to every American to help and support Hegseth in this mission.

In regards to Hegseth's speech about being fat and over weights reminds me of reading "Ghost Soldiers" where they referenced being assigned to the Philippines was just as nice as being stationed in Hawaii and that over time the officer core had become out of shape and overweight. Later when the Japanese invaded the islands the American force was quickly over whelmed and once captured, those fat, out of shape folks mostly died during the death marches.

So with China lurking around the corner I'd say the speech and the enforcement of being in shape and trim will be very helpful in a future war with China.

aggiepanic95 said:

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This is a great speech, it's cathartic

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You can see now why the left so desperately didn't want him to be the War Secretary.

Queso1 said:

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I private letter would have sufficed. But these days everyone is the main character.

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This isn't a private company. It wasn't a classified meeting.

After the mess that was created by the people controlling Biden an evisceration was necessary.

And it needed to be public.

He has undoubtedly sent a gazillion letters. And many of the generals ignore it. Maybe him embarrassing their asses in front of the world is exactly what is needed.


What he really needs to do is fire every general that has said a single woke thing in their lives.

Did any generals resign?

Agree with the standards that Hegseth stated. That said, the word 'woke' has become so overused and broadly painted that the word has 'jumped the shark'. I'd have no problem with a directive that anyone using that word is to be shot by firing squad it has become a bit tedious how often the word is thrown around now. Woke this and woke that …..I would do the same for the word 'fascist' which is thrown around by political left pundits to describe everything they don't like about the right. Fascist this and fascist that. At this point as Soon as I hear either 'woke' or 'fascist' come out of someone's mouth, I start to tune them out as political mud slinging noise.

Kozmozag said:

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Did any generals resign?

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They better think long and hard on it if they do. I bet that the instant they do, all security clearances will be yanked which will limit further career choices.

FCBlitz said:

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In regards to Hegseth's speech about being fat and over weights reminds me of reading "Ghost Soldiers" where they referenced being assigned to the Philippines was just as nice as being stationed in Hawaii and that over time the officer core had become out of shape and overweight. Later when the Japanese invaded the islands the American force was quickly over whelmed and once captured, those fat, out of shape folks mostly died during the death marches.

So with China lurking around the corner I'd say the speech and the enforcement of being in shape and trim will be very helpful in a future war with China.

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We also appear to have ceded the fighting of wars to private sector technology, which a fat guy with a keyboard can handle just fine. The problem is that the Chinese are going to kick our butts in that area too if we don't up our game. The myth of American exceptionalism produces a hubris that is unhealthy. As a scientist I see it time and again, when leadership thinks that we have all the smart people. This was the current I was following in Oppenheimer as a "non-reg."

P.U.T.U said:

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So far from what I have read this could have been an email or Teams meeting.

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The generals getting a taste of their own medicine.

Kozmozag said:

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Did any generals resign?

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At least one did.

Pumpkinhead said:

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Agree with the standards that Hegseth stated. That said, the word 'woke' has become so overused and broadly painted that the word has 'jumped the shark'. I'd have no problem with a directive that anyone using that word is to be shot by firing squad it has become a bit tedious how often the word is thrown around now. Woke this and woke that …..I would do the same for the word 'fascist' which is thrown around by political left pundits to describe everything they don't like about the right. Fascist this and fascist that. At this point as Soon as I hear either 'woke' or 'fascist' come out of someone's mouth, I start to tune them out as political mud slinging noise.

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Have you heard about … "woke MAGA" ?

Pumpkinhead said:

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Agree with the standards that Hegseth stated. That said, the word 'woke' has become so overused and broadly painted that the word has 'jumped the shark'. I'd have no problem with a directive that anyone using that word is to be shot by firing squad it has become a bit tedious how often the word is thrown around now. Woke this and woke that …..I would do the same for the word 'fascist' which is thrown around by political left pundits to describe everything they don't like about the right. Fascist this and fascist that. At this point as Soon as I hear either 'woke' or 'fascist' come out of someone's mouth, I start to tune them out as political mud slinging noise.

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The military exists to kill people and break things, not to see how many extra body parts you can add on or take off, or what kind of heels go best with camo.

Sorry your girl lost and the military is being focused on its actual mission. Cope.

Quote:

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Watching those columns of Chinese soldiers marching in Beijing should be message enough to every American to help and support Hegseth in this mission.

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Some "Americans" would rather China win. Some voted for a Chinese president in 2020.

Pumpkinhead said:

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Agree with the standards that Hegseth stated. That said, the word 'woke' has become so overused and broadly painted that the word has 'jumped the shark'. I'd have no problem with a directive that anyone using that word is to be shot by firing squad it has become a bit tedious how often the word is thrown around now. Woke this and woke that …..I would do the same for the word 'fascist' which is thrown around by political left pundits to describe everything they don't like about the right. Fascist this and fascist that. At this point as Soon as I hear either 'woke' or 'fascist' come out of someone's mouth, I start to tune them out as political mud slinging noise.

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While I agree with you, woke in the context of Biden's military is legitimate usage. May it now die the death it deserves.

Anonymous Source said:

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Pumpkinhead said:

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Agree with the standards that Hegseth stated. That said, the word 'woke' has become so overused and broadly painted that the word has 'jumped the shark'. I'd have no problem with a directive that anyone using that word is to be shot by firing squad it has become a bit tedious how often the word is thrown around now. Woke this and woke that …..I would do the same for the word 'fascist' which is thrown around by political left pundits to describe everything they don't like about the right. Fascist this and fascist that. At this point as Soon as I hear either 'woke' or 'fascist' come out of someone's mouth, I start to tune them out as political mud slinging noise.

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Woke is a perfect shorthand to describe so much of the rot that took hold over the last 15 years. It eliminates the need to write several sentences when criticizing someone or some group that is engaging in DEI, pro-LGBTQ or any other anti-conservative activity. Everyone knows exactly what it means and to whom it is describing. "Woke" generals are the ones proclaiming "diversity is our strength" and promoting based on quotas instead of merit. You don't like it because it is so effective. And let's not forget, the Left proudly called themselves "Woke" when it was in vogue.

"Fascist" is just an inaccurate slur vomited up by libs that can't make an argument or want to throw a tantrum.

Anonymous Source said:

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Pumpkinhead said:

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Agree with the standards that Hegseth stated. That said, the word 'woke' has become so overused and broadly painted that the word has 'jumped the shark'. I'd have no problem with a directive that anyone using that word is to be shot by firing squad it has become a bit tedious how often the word is thrown around now. Woke this and woke that …..I would do the same for the word 'fascist' which is thrown around by political left pundits to describe everything they don't like about the right. Fascist this and fascist that. At this point as Soon as I hear either 'woke' or 'fascist' come out of someone's mouth, I start to tune them out as political mud slinging noise.

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Insanity is too broad of an adjective. Woke is the perfect description of a sizable subset of insanity.

Anonymous Source said:

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Pumpkinhead said:

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Agree with the standards that Hegseth stated. That said, the word 'woke' has become so overused and broadly painted that the word has 'jumped the shark'. I'd have no problem with a directive that anyone using that word is to be shot by firing squad it has become a bit tedious how often the word is thrown around now. Woke this and woke that …..I would do the same for the word 'fascist' which is thrown around by political left pundits to describe everything they don't like about the right. Fascist this and fascist that. At this point as Soon as I hear either 'woke' or 'fascist' come out of someone's mouth, I start to tune them out as political mud slinging noise.

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Can you send a link?

will25u said:

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And another thing, I absolutely detest trying to put green initiatives into the military. They do nothing but reduce the militaries effectiveness. The military is not there to save the planet. It is there to save the United States and dominate our enemies.

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titan said:

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will25u said:

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Watching old videos from the peak woke era feels like a fever dream

pic.twitter.com/0wSSJoZp1k

— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) October 1, 2025

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Intentional inclusivity and prioritizing concern with marginalized or difficult conversations has nothing to do with effective killing in the battlefield and winning wars.

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As a former military officer, that video is so entirely frustrating.

RogerFurlong said:

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74OA said:

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Sorry, but worth a laugh: Trump and Hegseth bombed so badly the generals are subsequently calling them Fat Man and Little Boy.

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That's great coming from generals that can't even leave Afghanistan without getting their subordinates killed.

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It's a joke I came across, for god's sake, not something actually attributed to the GOs.

The reference to the two WWII nuke bombs is clever enough to be worth a grin regardless of where you stand.

Lighten up.

A CURRENT DRILL SERGEANT speaks out on the new requirements in the military.@PeteHegseth you’ve got a WINNER here!!! 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼 pic.twitter.com/hvCsRC1qsz

— Maddie Evans (@EstieMaddie) October 2, 2025

Drip drop a drippity drop drop.

BREAKING: Gen Bryan Fenton, Commander of the US Special Operations Command signs his departure letter pic.twitter.com/C0aTDRJ9iD

— AlexandruC4 (@AlexandruC4) October 2, 2025

He's leaving command, not resigning or retiring. I doubt there's any link between that and the meeting yesterday.

Amen. Nailed it.

He's a General, finishing 3 years of General command. He'll probably retire because there are only a couple of jobs for a 4 star that has had a 4 star command. This seems really normal and not directly tied to the political landscape.

This has nothing to do with this thread…