Tomorrow should be quite the day at Quantico. Roughly 800 of this nation’s top military leaders have been summoned back to the DC area (for those who don’t know, Marine Base Quantico is thirty miles or so south of the Pentagon) for a bigly important pow-wow with Secretary of Makeup and Hair Gel, oops, I mean Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. The question is WHY? As you can imagine, I have a few thoughts and yes, they will contain a certain amount of snark if you hadn’t already guessed.
There are a couple of things I don’t want to think about but we all should. For starters, the COST of all these commanders from around the globe coming back to the states, or from around the country. When you look at the operating cost of military transport (which most, if not all will have to use) it will be one hell of a bill. Not to mention the cost of lodging for so many of them. Trumpty’s probably pissed he doesn’t still own his DC hotel and can bill exorbitant rates for their rooms. And meals. Of more concern is that all of our top commanders will be away from their posts at the same f**king time!
Yes, each of them has a second in command and a capable staff. Still, it’s not quite the same. Plus ALL of them are gone, in some cases for a minimum of three or four days at the same time. If you don’t think those who wish us harm, or even those who don’t but want to gain some type of leverage haven’t been looking for ways to take advantage of this then you’re dumber that a MAGA. And the typical MAGA asshat is dumber than even Trump! There is no reason, NONE, all these commanders need to be in the same big room. ALL of them have secure, encrypted video links both to the Pentagon and WH situation room.
That brings us to the question of WHY Hegseth is pulling this stunt. There’s reporting his boss, Trump himself was blindsided when this was announced and has been asking that very question himself. When TRUMP is curious and wants to actually know something about something, I for one, take notice. However, all this was set in motion without Hegseth or anyone at the Pentagon saying dick to Trump or anyone at the White House. Hegseth went and embarrassed the Orange Emperor. Again. How much of this will Trump keep putting up with?
On the other hand, Trump might decide to crap all over Hegseth’s big moment. Keep an eye on the news tomorrow for Marine One unexpectedly showing up on the WH lawn. He’s got to be smarting, or maybe dumbassing is the better word but what I mean is stewing over his big production he made at the Ryder Cup where the team flopped. As he arrived near the end of the morning session they were getting their asses kicked (the U.S. lost 3-1) and the “First Golfer” (who the team all admire) failed to save the day. They got their asses handed to them again in the afternoon session! ETTD as I wrote the other day including the U.S. team. That’s why I’m willing to bet Trump is itching to chopper down to Quantico, tell Hegseth to sit his ass down and take over the gathering!
I still haven’t answered the question of WHY this is all going down. I honestly don’t know but I can guess. Hegseth has been purging lots of our top military leaders on the dubious grounds of they aren’t loyal to Trump. Or that they don’t have enough “warrior” mentality. Or (horrors!) give non-white males a fair shot. For warrior Pete the DOD is a ‘Man’s Man’ club. The only women should be hot babes in lowly positions and by lowly I mean more than rank and actual military duties.
The thing is, damn near everyone he’s summoned has well over thirty years of military experience and with the majority time serving in combat or in combat zones. Over the course of their careers they’ve sworn to protect and defend not the flag, or the President or a political Party but the Constitution. THAT alone put them at odds with what Hegseth, and for that matter Trump expect, and if we’re being blunt DEMAND of them. I would be willing to bet some of these commanders won’t be going back to their duties. Hegseth has said we have too many generals more than once. And he’s likely got a list of people he’s already decided have to go. For that matter I hope each of them know the room, and hallways and even break rooms and bathrooms will have pinhole cameras with sound capability. Hegseth’s people will be looking for anyone who doesn’t seem sufficiently attentive or not as enthusiastic as he wants.
It could get comical in a messed up way. I chose that title picture for a reason. Hegseth gets sloppy drunk, and handsy to the point of being rapey. But he makes sure at work he’s perfectly groomed. Tailored suits, makeup and hair done to perfection. And to ensure he looks perfect on the job, he had a freaking makeup studio installed. For a dude that constantly complains there’s not enough WARRIOR mentality in the DOD and the ranks being so vain about his appearance seems awfully weird!
I should note Hegseth did serve in the Army. Spent some time as a platoon leader in a combat zone even. We have to give him credit for that but his time ‘in country’ and the rest of his active duty career was undistinguished. I gather his unit didn’t see much in the way of action. He did (I assume) get a Bronze Star since the Army hands them out to officers like they hand out that ‘Rainbow Ribbon’ (or at least used to back when I served in the Marines) to enlisted troops. As I said earlier, the bulk of the generals and he’ll be talking to have served multiple times in combat and/or combat zones. And been under fire. Wounded some of them. And actually EARNED medals for heroism.
And pretty boy Hegseth intend to lecture THEM on warrior mentality? This half-assed ‘ticket puncher’ who got the hell out as soon as he could? And went on to run a couple of non-profit veteran’s service groups into the ground before becoming a Fox News personality with his makeup and hair gel? I’m sure most of them, even those who voted for Trump will be thinking ‘Who the hell does this punk think he IS to be lecturing ME on being tough, of being a warrior?” If Trump hijacks the event it might damage morale even more!
But it’s going to happen. Wittle Petey Hegseth will have a team of highly paid stylists dress him up and do his makeup and hair and he’ll strut around playing big shot. Better than any of those he’ll be addressing. Did I say morale will nosedive by the time it’s over? There might be genuine fear by the end of the day in the upper ranks. “THIS is who’s in charge and issuing orders? What in god’s name besides that whole SignalGate cluster-f**K do we NOT know about? And what does it say that the Commander-in-Chief either can’t see what we see, or does and doesn’t give a rat’s ass?”
Mark my words. Tomorrow could turn out to be an inflection point. If the whole thing is intended to be part-purge and part assertion of authority, the purge part might happen but it could well harden resolve. All of these people will remember how General Milly stood up to Trump. The whole stunt could backfire on the administration in a major way. Stay tuned folks.
Very good piece. I can’t think of anything to add, you said it all.