Part 4/10:
One of the focal points of Hegseth’s statements was his vision for the military, emphasizing a return to high standards based solely on merit, readiness, and performance. He argued fervently against the current climate of "equity" in promotion standards, advocating for a robust wartime readiness model that prioritizes qualified personnel over bureaucratic equality. Hegseth called for a reevaluation of the “bloated bureaucracy” within the Pentagon, citing historical data showing that fewer generals were able to effectively lead during wartime, with an alarming rise in the current number of high-ranking officers.