Pete Hegseth has transitioned from a prominent media personality to the United States Secretary of Defense, a journey marked significantly by his military service. Understanding what is Pete Hegseth’s military background is crucial to grasping his perspectives and career trajectory, particularly in his current role overseeing the U.S. armed forces. This article delves into the specifics of his military service, deployments, and related aspects.
Hegseth’s military journey began during his time at Princeton University, where he enrolled in 1999. Alongside his studies in politics and contributions to The Princeton Tory, the conservative campus newspaper, Hegseth joined the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program. This marked his formal entry into military training while pursuing higher education.
Upon graduating from Princeton in 2003 and completing the ROTC program, Hegseth officially entered military service by joining the Minnesota National Guard. He later transitioned to the Army National Guard, demonstrating his commitment to continued service. Over time, he climbed the ranks, achieving the rank of major, a significant accomplishment in the National Guard system, reflecting his leadership capabilities and dedication.
Pete Hegseth in uniform, likely during his time in the military, showcasing his service and rank.
Hegseth’s military service was not confined to domestic duties; he was deployed three times, experiencing military operations in diverse global locations. His deployments began with a tour at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, where he served in a security capacity. Subsequently, he served as a platoon leader in Iraq, taking on a leadership role in active combat zones during the Iraq War. His final deployment saw him in Afghanistan, where he took on the role of teaching counterinsurgency tactics, sharing his acquired field experience to train others in the complexities of modern warfare. These deployments underscore his direct involvement in significant military operations and his contribution to national security efforts in the post-9/11 era.
For his service, Hegseth has been awarded military honors, including two Bronze Stars. These commendations recognize acts of bravery, meritorious service, or achievement in a combat zone, further highlighting his contributions and effectiveness during his deployments.
However, Hegseth’s military background is not without controversy. In 2021, he was removed from the National Guard unit assigned to provide security for President Joe Biden’s inauguration. The stated reason was his Jerusalem cross tattoo, which, while Hegseth identified it as a Christian symbol, was also associated with Christian nationalist groups. Furthermore, his tattoo of Deus Vult, a Latin phrase meaning “God wills it” and a battle cry from the Crusades, which has been adopted by white supremacist groups, also drew scrutiny. He ultimately left the National Guard later in 2021, concluding his formal military affiliation.
Throughout his career, particularly after transitioning into media and politics, Hegseth has been vocal about his political views related to the military. He has been critical of military leadership, accusing them of being overly “woke” and focusing too much on diversity and equity initiatives, which he believes weakens the military’s core capabilities. He has also publicly supported pardons for military personnel convicted of war crimes, reflecting a more assertive stance on military actions and accountability. His book, “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free” (2024), further elaborates on these perspectives, offering a critical view of contemporary military policies and leadership.
In conclusion, Pete Hegseth’s military background is characterized by his education through Army ROTC, service in the National Guard reaching the rank of major, and deployments to Guantánamo Bay, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He earned Bronze Stars for his service, though his military career also faced controversies related to his tattoos and political views. Understanding this military experience is essential to comprehending his perspectives as a public figure and now as the U.S. Secretary of Defense, where his background inevitably shapes his approach to leading the nation’s armed forces.
