Robert Gamer: Author & Activist

In the classic satire Dr. Strangelove, a deranged U.S. Air Force general orders a nuclear strike on the Soviet Union, triggering global catastrophe. The plot, while absurd and darkly comedic, serves as a cautionary tale about misplaced authority and poor decision-making. Fiction, surely? Perhaps not, considering the appointment of Peter Hegseth as head of the Department of Defense.

Hegseth, a military veteran, touts his service record. But so could Adolf Hitler, who served as a lance corporal in World War I. Unlike President Biden’s Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin III—a West Point graduate and career military officer with experience on the National Security Council—Hegseth has spent much of his career as a Fox News host. Placing someone with limited expertise in charge of the world’s most powerful military raises serious concerns about judgment and preparedness.

Questionable Military Advocacy

Despite his lack of deep military experience, Hegseth has been vocal on military issues, advocating for policies that often defy conventional norms. For instance, he lobbied for former President Trump to pardon service members accused of war crimes. These cases are typically tried by military tribunals, which ensure due process while upholding the military’s integrity. One must wonder if Hegseth would have argued for the release of individuals like Lt. William Calley, convicted for his role in the My Lai massacre during the Vietnam War.

Attacks on Diversity and Inclusion

Hegseth has also criticized efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the military, labeling these initiatives as weakening the armed forces. Yet DEI programs reflect the composition of the troops themselves—a diverse melting pot that fosters trust based on performance, not personal identity. His use of terms like “effeminate” to describe such efforts reveals a bias that ignores historical evidence of female soldiers excelling in combat. Women played pivotal roles in the Russian military during World War II and continue to serve effectively in the Israeli Defense Forces today.

Efforts to reverse progress in DEI could harm the military’s cohesion and readiness. Trust among soldiers is built in the trenches, where race, gender, and identity are secondary to skill and reliability. Undermining this environment could weaken the military’s fighting capability.

Misguided Commentary on Recruitment

Hegseth has mocked transgender service members, suggesting their presence drives potential recruits away. This claim contradicts the Department of Defense, which attributes recruitment challenges to other factors. According to the Pentagon, 77% of young Americans are unqualified for service, primarily due to obesity, drug use, health problems, misconduct, or insufficient aptitude. The pandemic has also disrupted recruitment pipelines. Insulting transgender service members undermines morale and deters capable individuals from enlisting, further exacerbating recruitment challenges.

A Polarized Perspective

In the political realm, Hegseth has referred to the left as “America’s domestic enemies” and “wreckers.” Such rhetoric is eerily reminiscent of Adolf Hitler, who vilified dissidents as threats to Germany’s unity. Hegseth’s disdain for international norms like the Geneva Conventions is equally troubling. The Japanese military, which ignored these conventions during World War II, committed atrocities with impunity—a stark reminder of why such agreements exist.

Closing Thoughts

In Dr. Strangelove, a crew member famously rides a nuclear bomb to its detonation. While intended as absurdist humor, the scene resonates as a warning against reckless leadership. If Peter Hegseth proceeds with his agenda as Secretary of Defense, the consequences could be equally catastrophic. Perhaps, as a show of his convictions, he might consider reenacting that infamous moment—this time, for real.