Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Commits to Rebuilding Military Deterrence
COLUMBUS, Ga. — During a visit to Fort Benning on Thursday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed Officer Candidate School graduates, underscoring the Department of Defense’s commitment to restoring military strength. Hegseth emphasized the need for deterrence, stating that enemies should ‘not want to f— with us’ due to the threat of ‘the business end of the best warrior on the planet.’
Following the OCS graduation ceremony, Hegseth spoke at the Infantry Basic Officer Leader Course luncheon. He shared personal anecdotes about his children’s aspirations within the military and expressed pride in the graduates who may one day earn the honor of wearing Army Ranger shirts.
The speech coincided with broader military initiatives under the Trump administration, which seek to modernize the armed forces. Hegseth highlighted the goal of empowering lower-level units to make critical decisions, asserting that ‘we are going to push decision-making authority down to you, the platoon level, the company level, the battalion unit level, as much as possible.’ This shift aims to enhance operational flexibility and responsiveness.
Additionally, Hegseth hinted at a potential name change for the Department of Defense, which could be rebranded as the ‘Department of War.’ This move, which Trump plans to formalize through an executive order, would align the military’s identity with its historical roots and underscore the administration’s focus on traditional warfare and deterrence. The name change is intended to be a permanent shift, with Hegseth tasked to propose legislative measures to solidify the new title.
The announcement of the name change, confirmed by Fox News Digital’s contributors, reflects a significant shift in military policy and signals a commitment to enhancing the United States’ global military posture. As the U.S. military continues to adapt to evolving threats, these changes aim to ensure that the nation remains a formidable force on the world stage.