From Wokeness to Warfighting: How Hegseth Can Rebuild America’s Military Strength

America stands at a critical juncture, and incoming Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces the daunting challenge of rebuilding a military that has been systematically weakened by ideological subversion. The stakes could not be higher: our nation's security depends on purging the corrosive elements that have infiltrated its ranks. As the new administration prepares to tackle the colossal issues plaguing our armed forces, Hegseth must focus on rooting out the corrosive influence of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) officers, specifically the likes of Army Cols. Peter L. Gilbert, Antwan L. Dunmyer, and Navy Capt. Omarr E. Tobias. These officers, appointed under Biden’s tenure, have not only embraced but fervently championed a radical, identity-driven agenda that threatens to undermine the bedrock principles upon which our military was built—principles of merit, cohesion, and unyielding discipline.

Under the guise of equity, the military has been subjected to an ideological cleansing that has systematically removed conservative voices while elevating partisan officers who advance a neo-Marxist dogma. The Democrats, wielding DEI as a cudgel, have purged the military of conservatives, Republicans, and patriots—those who remain faithful to the Constitution and its vision of an American Republic free from identity-based division. The likes of Cols. Gilbert and Dunmyer have contributed to this mission drift by infusing their commands with DEI rhetoric, promoting everything from identity-based hiring to the celebration of sexual identity over battlefield readiness.

Take, for example, Gilbert’s 2021 Black History Month address, where he claimed the 101st Division Sustainment Brigade’s success rested on its diversity. Such a statement, seemingly benign, carries with it the seeds of a dangerous paradigm shift. No longer is the military’s strength attributed to rigorous training, discipline, and merit-based leadership—it is instead tied to the superficial measures of diversity. This rhetoric subtly undermines the concept of meritocracy, suggesting that identity-based representation somehow supersedes the intrinsic qualities that historically made the American military the most formidable fighting force in the world.

Dunmyer, too, has championed this ideological shift, which detracts from mission readiness by prioritizing identity-based events over combat training and operational preparedness. By focusing on initiatives that emphasize social identity, Dunmyer risks diverting attention and resources from the core objectives of strategic effectiveness and battlefield cohesion. By speaking at LGBTQ pride events and venerating identity as central to military service, Dunmyer signals a priority misaligned with the military's core mission—to defend the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Pride events and similar spectacles, while seemingly innocuous to some, reflect an overt prioritization of social engineering over unit cohesion. The introduction of identity politics into the barracks serves only to fracture what should be an unbreakable bond among soldiers—a bond forged in duty, sacrifice, and mutual respect for the uniform, not in shared identity categories.

Then there is Navy Capt. Omarr E. Tobias, who took every opportunity to ensure that DEI was woven into the very fabric of the Naval Facilities Engineering Command in Washington, D.C. During events like Women’s Equality Day, Tobias celebrated not the accomplishments of the Navy as a cohesive force, but instead highlighted the contributions of women specifically, turning every achievement into an identity-focused triumph rather than a testament to collective excellence. This ceaseless pursuit to divide accomplishments along gender and racial lines undermines the very notion of unity that is essential for military success.

The persistence of these DEI zealots within our military isn’t merely a nuisance—it’s an existential threat. These efforts are an attempt to ideologically transform the military into an apparatus serving progressive ideals rather than its original and singular purpose: the defense of the nation. This shift is being tacitly endorsed by a Democrat leadership that—as it did in the 19th century, opposing the abolition of slavery, and in the 20th century, resisting civil rights and school integration—seeks to divide rather than unite. Today, they’ve merely shifted tactics, turning to mass immigration and identity politics as new tools to ensure electoral power, while undermining the cohesion and effectiveness of our military.

Hegseth must, therefore, act decisively. His mission is clear: purge the military of those who place ideology over the mission. He should begin by conducting a thorough review of all DEI-related positions and activities within the Department of Defense, identifying those that do not contribute to combat readiness or operational effectiveness. Following this review, Hegseth should work to eliminate non-essential DEI roles and redirect resources towards enhancing training, equipment, and mission-focused initiatives. Additionally, he must establish clear guidelines to ensure that promotions and leadership positions are based solely on merit and demonstrated capability, thereby restoring a culture of excellence within the ranks. He must restore a merit-based structure where promotions are awarded based on performance and capability, not identity. There was a time when the American military was lauded not only for its might but for its singular focus on achieving victory. It was the Marines storming Iwo Jima, the paratroopers landing in Normandy, the countless men and women who, irrespective of their background, stood shoulder to shoulder with one common objective—victory. It wasn’t about diversity quotas or celebrating identities; it was about winning wars and bringing freedom to millions.

The reformation of our military must begin with dismantling the DEI bureaucracies that have sprung up like weeds throughout the Department of Defense. These offices, often populated by civilian ideologues whose primary mission seems to be inculcating military personnel with the language of critical theory and grievance, serve no role in enhancing military preparedness. Indeed, they are the very antithesis of military values, which demand discipline, unity, and a relentless focus on mission success. By prioritizing the appeasement of DEI commissars, we risk creating an armed forces more adept at navigating HR seminars than navigating the challenges of modern warfare.

It’s time for Hegseth to channel the spirit of the great warriors who came before—men like General Patton, who understood that wars are won by unyielding force, discipline, and an absolute refusal to bend to the whims of political fashion. Hegseth must put an end to the policies that have fostered the departure of countless patriots—men and women who have refused to bow to DEI orthodoxy and instead found themselves sidelined or drummed out of the service entirely. The military must once again become a place where the best rise to the top, where cohesion is forged not through mandatory DEI seminars but through shared sacrifice and a commitment to country above all else.

The Democrats have succeeded in one thing—they have fundamentally transformed the military, but not for the better. Recent reports indicate declining recruitment numbers, reduced combat readiness, and widespread discontent among service members, all exacerbated by an emphasis on DEI initiatives rather than mission-critical training and merit-based advancement. Their campaign to purge conservatives, muzzle patriots, and promote ideologues like Gilbert, Dunmyer, and Tobias, is emblematic of a broader desire to shape every institution in their image. Pete Hegseth has a chance to reverse this dangerous course, to restore the military’s reputation, and to ensure that the armed forces are once again feared by America’s enemies and respected by its citizens.

Hegseth must dismantle the DEI infrastructure and restore the military’s focus on warfighting, not wokeness. He must ensure that the only colors that matter in the armed forces are those of the American flag, and the only identity that counts is that of the American warrior. For the sake of our national security, it’s time to rid the military of the DEI officers who threaten to weaken its resolve and fracture its unity. We must rally together, regardless of individual backgrounds, to restore a singular focus on national defense, ensuring that our armed forces remain united in purpose, resilient, and ready to face any challenge. A cohesive military, committed to the shared goal of protecting the nation, is essential for safeguarding our freedom and securing our future. America’s military is no place for ideologues—it’s a place for warriors.

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