Hegseth Mandates Troops Watch Anti-"Woke" Military Speech Amid Controversy

Defense Secretary Hegseth Orders Troops to Watch Anti-"Woke" Speech In a move that has sparked controversy within the military community, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered nearly 800 generals, admirals, and senior enlisted leaders to watch or read his speech last month at Quantico, Va., in which he declared the "woke" military is gone. The memo, obtained by NPR, calls for servicemembers to complete the "Warrior Ethos Tasking," which includes a link to the video and updated policy memorandums, by the end of the month. According to the memo, all commanders must document the completion of the Warrior Ethos Tasking in a Memorandum for Record. The updated policy memorandums lay out Hegseth's plans to enhance physical fitness, grooming standards, and military readiness. "This is not just about reading a speech," said a senior defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "It's about understanding the Secretary's vision for the future of our military." Hegseth's speech at Quantico was notable for its criticism of what he termed the "woke" military, which he claimed was prioritizing diversity and inclusion over combat readiness. He also declared that women in the military must meet the "highest male standards" for physical fitness. The move has been met with skepticism by some within the military community. "This is a clear attempt to impose the Secretary's personal views on the entire military," said a retired Army colonel, who wished to remain anonymous. "It's not about promoting a culture of excellence; it's about imposing a particular ideology." Background and context: The controversy surrounding Hegseth's speech and subsequent memo is part of a larger debate within the military community about diversity, inclusion, and the role of politics in the armed forces. Additional Perspectives The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has expressed concern that Hegseth's policies may infringe on servicemembers' rights to free speech and expression. "The military must be a place where all individuals can feel safe and respected," said a spokesperson for the ACLU. Some lawmakers have praised Hegseth's efforts to promote combat readiness and physical fitness within the military. "We need to ensure that our military is prepared to defend our nation," said Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR). "This is a step in the right direction." Current Status and Next Developments The Warrior Ethos Tasking is expected to be completed by the end of the month, with commanders documenting their troops' completion of the task. The impact of Hegseth's policies on military culture and readiness remains to be seen. In related news, a group of senior military leaders has announced plans to speak out against Hegseth's policies in an upcoming letter to Congress. "We will not stand idly by while our Secretary attempts to undermine the values that have made our military great," said one of the signatories, who wished to remain anonymous. This article is part of a series exploring the intersection of technology and society. For more information on this topic, please see our previous articles on [related topics]. *Reporting by Npr.*