Pete Hegseth Channels Ghost Of WWII Legend To Fire Up Generals, But What China Is Stockpiling Suggests We’re Already Out Of Time

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth brought together hundreds of America’s top military leaders at Quantico, Virginia, on September 30 with a clear message. “From this moment forward, the only mission of the newly restored Department of War is this: Warfighting,” Hegseth told the gathered generals and admirals. He added a serious warning: “Prepare for war.”

The U.S. military has big readiness problems, moving at what critics call Pentagon’s slow speed. According to The Hill, today, there are about 840 active-duty flag officers, which means one general or admiral for every 1,500 members of the armed services. At the end of World War II, there was one flag for every 6,000 members. This top-heavy setup has raised concerns about how well the military can work.

Retired Air Force General Blaine Holt said Hegseth wasted no time in channeling the ghost of General George C. Marshall, who led the U.S. Army during World War II. Marshall famously got rid of weak leadership, firing about 195 generals in his first six months. He knew America’s army had given out stars based mostly on how long people had served after World War I and kept generals who weren’t fit for wartime command.

China’s Buildup Shows The Clock Is Ticking Faster Than Anyone Wants To Admit

While the U.S. military tries to fix itself, China is in the middle of the fastest military buildup since World War II. The regime is trying to protect itself from sanctions, piling up grain and other goods, calling up reservists and taking over factories that make products for regular people. President Xi Jinping has been firing military officers who don’t want war, with his favorite phrase these days being “Dare to fight.”

The Chinese military is starting fights from South Korea in the north to Australia in the south. Beijing is fighting proxy wars on two continents through Russia in Ukraine and through Iran in the Middle East. In North Africa, China has been backing rebellions that look like wars.

The American military is still mostly in peace mode despite these threats. The Navy and Air Force are getting rid of ships and planes needed today to pay for ones that won’t be ready until well into the middle of next decade. The Navy is building aircraft carriers that won’t be battle-ready for a decade, showing little sense that war might come soon. With Trump’s administration dealing with ongoing problems in getting military funding, the need to get ready for possible war has never been bigger.

President Trump talked about a new focus on the Western Hemisphere at Hegseth’s meeting. Holt explained that America’s biggest threats aren’t somewhere far away anymore, instead pointing to enemies that had made it to Main Street through wide open borders and the cartels that connect to our nation’s enemies.