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As a West Point graduate who served 32 years as an infantry officer, including combat tours in Iraq, and an ex-CIA employee, I am astounded that Pete Hegseth, the secretary of defense, is the person providing military advice to the president. Hegseth’s military leadership assignments peaked at platoon leader, and he only reached the rank of major in the “traditional” National Guard. Plus, his personal conduct and professional career are crude jokes.
This man’s wealth of military “experience” apparently came in handy when the president ordered U.S. Marines to enter Los Angeles, as Hegseth would never deny his boss. That is probably why he was nominated.
But does anyone really believe now, with the world on the brink of nuclear war, this platoon leader extraordinaire is providing any substance to the strategic military conversations between four-star generals, intelligence professionals and experienced statesmen? If he does, I am sure we can read about it on our Signal app.
Charles Mitchell
Belfast