Hegseth’s One Percent

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth continues to target junior officers and noncommissioned officers. During a speech at the Marine Corps base in Quantico, Virginia on September 30, he referenced Isaiah 6:8, which he has previously quoted. In this passage, the Lord asks, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Hegseth then states, "Here am I, send me."

However, Hegseth neglects to mention the more pertinent verse that follows, which warns of the dire consequences of being a man of "unclean lips." Isaiah was sent to rebuke a corrupt court, filled with individuals who oppressed the vulnerable and disregarded justice. The prophet ultimately met his fate at the hands of King Manasseh.

In this context, Hegseth's remarks are particularly egregious. He criticizes the armed forces for their inclusivity, competitive pay, and benefits, comparing them unfavorably to a mythical military of only the elite. This is both inaccurate and detrimental. The reality is that the United States has relied on all its citizens to fight its most significant conflicts, not just a select few.

Throughout American history, wars have been fought by a diverse and inclusive force, from the Continental Army to the American Expeditionary Force in World War I and II. Even the Civil War was fought by mass armies, including recent immigrants who were often marginalized. While people enlist for various reasons, they are not necessarily the "best" in terms of morality, physical capability, or mental acuity.

Hegseth's approach is misguided and potentially harmful. He isolates the military from the broader society and denigrates the general officer corps while appealing to the most impressionable members of the armed forces. This dangerous rhetoric aligns with the antithesis of what soldiers such as George C. Marshall or Dwight Eisenhower believed – that soldiers should be citizens first, and their primary allegiance lies with their country.