The Pentagon Strikes a Discordant Note


I have been following this news:

 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/03/pete-hegseth-navy-promotion-list

I support SecWar Hegseth actions to remove transgender service members because I consider them to suffer from mental delusions.  If you were born with a penis and believe you have lactating breasts and an imaginary vagina....  you might find your time in service more accepted in Sweden.  The Swedes?  The last time the Swedes were involved in a war was a short war in 1814, so it doesn't matter.  They can recruit chimpanzees and  be completely protected by the rest of us.  But this is America.  I like to think we possess greater common sense.

Speaking of chimps.... The chimp at the top of the chain of command has just struck a discordant note.  

He did state this at a meeting of key leadership in Virginia in September: 

"For too long, we've promoted too many uniform leaders for the wrong reasons - based on their race, based on gender quotas, based on historic so-called firsts."

And while there may be some truth to the statement above, as a woman who served as a DCO (Direct Commission Officer) in the United States Naval Reserve, I can attest to the fact that in very subtle ways, our military remains a man's world.  And hidebound men prevail.  Do not misunderstand what I am saying.  We need them.  But our nation also very much needs the women who serve.  And on the Navy side of the house, we exhibit the same "Honor, Courage and Commitment" as the XY members within our ranks. We just don't look like Rambo.

Maybe it is just me, but it seems that if the Admirals seated on the promotion board have confidence in their selections, the Secretary of War signature on their recommendations is more of a formality and  courtesy.  These individuals have already been thoroughly vetted.  Every stone has been kicked over and massive mountains of data for each candidate reviewed.  

And as someone who made 04 (LCDR) during my first board review for the rank, I am familiar with the rigorous and secretive process - but also honored that one hundred percent of those seated on the board recommended my promotion without reservation.    

There is a greater issue, for me as a  woman.  And it is the discordant note of "A Warrior Culture".  The focus is too narrow.  And forgive me for daring to think - but there is no order of operations and there is only one plank in this "culture platform".

The order of operations should be:  Gentlemen, Scholars, and Warriors.

Gentlemen First.  Testosterone cannot be curbed,  but testosterone should be tamed.  As a Navy gal, I am aware of our history and women have come a long way since the days of "Tailhook".  Such behavior must remain in the past if we are to have integrated ranks with good order and discipline.

Scholars Next.  We have the nicest gadgets and military toys on the planet.  The military scholars were excluded and discounted from the quarterdeck when decisions were being made about Iran. True scholars and historians, and ethnographers for the Persian and Shi'a culture would have understood this act of aggression as a catapult (and not a detriment) to Iran's greater aspirations.

I was just looking at the (USMC)  Commandant's Professional Reading List.  And while many selections serve to educate, some appear to be superficially philosophical, and not much else. 

I am not quite sure why this book made the list.  It seems a bit psycho-babble.  But then again, I have not read it.




https://www.mca-marines.org/commandants-professional-reading-list-strategy/?pg=2

Warriors Always.  But not warriors-only.  Warriors always.  But not the Mongolian Horde.  Warriors always.  But some of these warriors are women like myself, who with brave hearts and high hopes took the oath of office, attended officer training school or boot camp, and offered our skills on behalf of the nation.  

I truly fear that in focusing on a "Warrior Culture"  and too great an emphasis on brawn and bravado alone as the benchmark for success,  there has been a palpable sense of loss for women in the military.  And while SecWar Pete Hegseth might be able to do push-ups and pull-ups with the best of the men, the Pentagon is reduced to a crawl in the Middle East.

What is on my desk?

"A History of Greece to 322 B.C." by N.G.L.  Hammond (Third Edition)

There will be no "Ender's Game".

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