For years, surveys have shown the U.S. military to be one of the most trusted institutions in the country.
A 2023 Gallup poll found that 60% of Americans had confidence in the armed forces. That trust has been built on discipline, training, and a clear commitment to the Constitution rather than political slogans.
That is why many were surprised by the tone of the speeches delivered on Tuesday by Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The two addressed top U.S. generals and admirals in what they seemed to expect would be a rousing call to action. It did not land that way with everyone.
Hegseth declared that he wanted a revamped military that would “remove the social justice, politically correct and toxic ideological garbage that had infected our department.” He also said there would be “no more fat soldiers.”
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That remark got a lot of attention. With 17% of active-duty troops labeled overweight but still able to do their jobs, many saw it as a needless jab rather than real leadership.
Retired Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling was among those who pushed back. Speaking to MSNBC’s Ana Cabrera, he said he felt a duty to defend the character and professionalism of the U.S. armed forces.
“I feel obliged to stick up for the defense of the American military,” Hertling said. “There are no finer human beings across our force.”
He reminded viewers that the U.S. military’s reputation is not an accident. “There is a reason why the other armies of the world say we are the best on the globe. America’s military members are well trained, well disciplined, and they swear an oath to the Constitution.”
Hertling took issue with the suggestion that diversity programs or so-called “wokeness” have weakened the military.
“I just really find it offensive that anyone is insulting them and claiming that it’s their promotions and their advancements through the services are a result of policies or wokeness or DEI, because that’s just not true,” he said.
He also criticized Trump’s remarks during the same meeting. Trump tried to make a point by saying there are two “N words,” one of them being “nuclear.” The attempt at humor drew confusion rather than laughs.
Hertling admitted he was stunned. “I just couldn’t believe some of the things he was saying,” he said. He compared the speech to Trump’s address at the U.N. the previous week.
“It’s somewhat shocking, and it’s filled with mistruths, and he’s addressing a bunch of men and women who serve all over the world, who have firsthand experience in some of the alliances and what he’s talking about in terms of war fighting,” Hertling added. “So I would suspect it’s not being taken well.”
You can watch the full exchange in the video below:
Featured image via Youtube screengrab
