Hegseth Meeting with Military Leaders Focuses on 'Warrior Ethos'... Surprises Not Excluded

SadaNews - American military leaders deployed around the world have begun preparations to travel to Virginia to attend a meeting with U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth this week, which some officials described yesterday (Friday) as a gathering focused on the "warrior ethos."

Hegseth has summoned U.S. military leaders from across the globe for a meeting in Quantico, Virginia, on Tuesday, a rare gathering of the country's military leadership in one location.

While two U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that the event will focus on discussing Hegseth's call for adherence to the "warrior ethos" across all branches of the military, others suggested that the hour-long event could touch on other areas.

A third official noted that given the senior officials who will be in one place, it is likely that substantive issues, such as the new national defense strategy of the U.S. administration and the anticipated reduction of senior ranks within the military, will be discussed, even if not officially on the agenda. The official added: "I wouldn't be surprised if there are some surprises during the event." He said, "We are not letting our guard down."

Officials expect the event to take place at the Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia. Some senior officials, who are being provided with U.S. military aircraft for official travel, are expected to travel to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.

The United States has forces around the world, including in remote locations such as South Korea and Japan, and throughout the Middle East, led by two-, three-, and four-star generals and admirals.

Hegseth speaks about the "warrior ethos" in nearly every public address he gives, emphasizing the need for the U.S. military to embody a warrior mentality.

Earlier this month, President Donald Trump signed an executive order renaming the Department of Defense to "Department of War," reverting to the title held by the department even after World War II when officials sought to emphasize the department's role in conflict prevention.

Hegseth, a former Fox News host, has moved swiftly to reshape the department, having dismissed senior generals and admirals in his pursuit of implementing Trump's national security agenda and eliminating diversity initiatives that he describes as discriminatory.