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Calling in the Generals: What Hegseth’s 'all-hands' meeting should — and shouldn’t — mean
American Thinker ^ | September 29, 2025 | Robert Maginnis

Posted on 09/29/2025 10:48:47 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum

Tomorrow, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth brings hundreds of U.S. generals and admirals to Quantico for what amounts to a mass leadership formation.

The agenda is opaque, the logistics unusual, and the stakes high.

With President Trump now planning to attend, the gathering risks becoming as much a signal about civil-military relations as it is about readiness.

What should Americans take from it — and what should our flag officers hear?

First, let’s dispense with the novelty. Large, in-person convocations of nearly the entire general/flag officer corps are rare. Reporting indicates Hegseth intends to hammer “warrior ethos,” grooming and standards — an unmistakable course-correction message to a force that has struggled with recruitment, retention and public confidence. Whether or not every rumor about mass firings is overblown, the form and timing are extraordinary.

Second, size and scale matter. By Pentagon counts this summer, there are roughly 838 active-duty generals and admirals. Independent analysis notes that asking “about 800” to show up would approach the total population — hence the shock across commands. Even if the real attendance is lower due to staff exemptions, it’s still unprecedented.

Third, context matters. President Trump’s decision to appear adds a political charge no speech can avoid. Some will see a morale boost, others, politicization. In a constitutional republic, civilian control of the military is not theater — it’s principle. When hundreds of flag officers assemble under cameras and floodlights, allies and adversaries alike read the optics. That’s why clarity of purpose and restraint of tone matter as much as content.

Fourth, history matters — especially the comparison so many are already making.

At the end of World War II, about 12.2 million Americans were on active duty (roughly 16 million served at some point...

(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...


TOPICS: Military/Veterans
KEYWORDS: dnckeywordtrolls; francescaregalado; leftistsource; newyorkslimes; newyorktimes; petehegseth; quantico

1 posted on 09/29/2025 10:48:47 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

I think it’s a good idea.

Commanders lead formations, ruck marches an occasional formation run so the troops see him face-to-face. So they see their “leader,” hear his voice, see he can keep up, that he isn’t a coward hiding behind a desk, shares in the pain.

Trump may be the first in a looong time that’s actually acting like someone that leads a military organization.


2 posted on 09/29/2025 11:17:01 AM PDT by Red6
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To: Red6

many people do not recognize the fact that Pres Trump has these qualities of military leadership.

Imo he has the complete skill set to lead us

I think back to all these other Presidents we have had in my short lifetime and Pres Trump is incomparable.Past presidents appear as vanity presidents by both Repubs & Dems.


3 posted on 09/29/2025 11:40:31 AM PDT by thesligoduffyflynns (DONT DRINK & DRONE 🤓 HAVE A NICE DAY 😀 GATORS WITH LAZERS)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

No catering. Feed ‘em MREs.


4 posted on 09/29/2025 12:32:10 PM PDT by Flatus I. Maximus (I never left the Democratic Party. It left me, and every time I look it keeps going further left.)
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To: Red6

Make them all take the oath again while they’re at it.


5 posted on 09/29/2025 7:08:23 PM PDT by Georgia Girl 2 (The only purpose of a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should never have dropped)
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To: Georgia Girl 2

.
Excuse me; but is it wise to advertise that ALL FLAG OFFICERS will be at a set location at a set time?


6 posted on 09/30/2025 7:47:33 AM PDT by CoastWatcher
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To: CoastWatcher

No I did not think it was wise unless they were hearing coup talk and for all we know that’s what they did get wind of and decided to nip it in the bud. Who knows?


7 posted on 09/30/2025 11:57:29 AM PDT by Georgia Girl 2 (The only purpose of a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should never have dropped)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Cut back on the number of ribbons.


8 posted on 09/30/2025 8:14:07 PM PDT by minnesota_bound (Making money now. Still want much more.)
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