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I mean it's not like there is a stable of 4 star generals just waiting in the wings in case a new Sec Def wants to clean house. Last time I checked military promotions at this level need congressional approval.

Name one major DOD contract Raytheon(correct spelling) was awarded between Jan 2021 until now? What was a major part Raytheon's business with the DOD? In the past it was part of the various UAV programs. UAV'shave been joint venture with multiple defense contract companies. I am not defending Austin because I have not been a fan of his but one has to prove his action or actions as Sec Def could be a conflict of interest.

"you can't fire everybody". A good leader finds a way to work with those he disagrees with. DEI is just one issue that is negatively affecting the current US Military. There are many others.

No. Of course not. Austin had been in office 8 months at the time fo the withdraw. I thought at least Miley, Army Chief of Staff, would have taken sword but he did not. Maybe that is the current state of Generals in the US Military? In my time did not have a lot of contact with general officers. Any Sec Def can olny work with the people that are currently in uniform.

What do you think? OF course I do. Been to Kabul airport many times. If I was a younger it could have been me at Abbey gate. Amazing question based upon on little to knowledge about me or my experience. Let me ask you "did you care when the decision to rapidly withdraw from Afghanistan was so poorly executed that 13 young service members were killed needlessly?". Also, who gave the final order to execute such an operation? I doubt this will ever be answered. But the decisions ike these are usually brought up the flag pole all the way to 1600 Pennsylavnia Ave. You know who lives there?

It depends on Sec Def Hegseth first meeting with the JCS. If he comes with humility and sets the tone tha he has a lot to learn and not lecture them then it could work. On the otherhand if he comes in with the perspective that he he is in town to tear it down then it could be a disaster. We shalll see and as it stands now I think Hegseth gets confirmed unless the Dems come up with some really dirt on him. "Politics is the dirtiest game in town".

Not everyone at Space X has a TS. I interviewed with Space X many years ago for a security position and a government clearance was not required. At that time my Secret clearance had already expired. Secret clearance are active for 10 years. Possibly only Space X employees working on classified government contracts would at least a need to have Secret level clearance. Mixing? I don't know anything about that. It is common practice for those who take government position to divest or even completely withdraw from commerical ventures to avoid a conflict of interest. If I know this then Democractic Senators know it and should bring this issue up at confirmation hearings.

For Trump that was in the past. For Musk does he currently hold a government security clearance? If he does then it could be an issue.

Trump has not been sworn in yet and Musk is a private citzen and he can talk to anyone and anywhere.

It has been like that for decades. What Dwight Eisenhower warned the world about has come true: The Military Industrial Complex thrives globally. Musk and/or Hegseth cannot touch it. If certains banks are too big to fail then the Defense Industry is the beast that cannot be killed. Experiened military officers knows this and work within the belly of the beast. Musk's Space X has been dealing with NASA but I do not know what their contracting process is. I am very versed in the DOD process and it is a beast. No one can kill it and I doubt Musk or Fox and Friends host Pete can impact it.

I hope that does not happen. Dem Senators have to decide who they want out of the running? My money is on Gaetz.

In some aspects the DOD is run like a business: 1) RFI-Request for Information on future contracts 2) RFP_Frequest for Proposals on future contracts 3) Competitive Bidding Process then occurrs 4) DCAA-Defense Contract Audit Ageny. The title explains it and these guys and girls were snoopiing around in many parts of Kuwait, A-stan and Iraq. Utlimately final decisions are made by Sec Def after consulting with POTUS.

Yes I am and a combat veteran. I care about the men and women under the command of Sec Def Hegseth.

Actually the CEO of a large Defense Contractor would have relevant experience to run the DOD. A good chunk of the annual defense budget ($800 Billion) is spent on contracts to the various defense contractors. Awarding of contracts is a big part of the business of the DOD. The DOD is run like a business. Government does not make anything. What they need is actually purchased from companies. The extent of Hegseth's leadership experience is an army platoon leader. At best he was in charge of 30 to 50 soldiers. If confirmed he would lead an agency with close to 2 million military, civilian and contractors. Scaling up be an understatement. Yes, the DOD needs change but I doubt Hegseth is the right man for the job. But with the Republicans in charge of the senate he might get confirmed.

I don't think they like each other:

I never mentioned POTUS or VPOTUS.

If she says yes it would happen. Many Californians would back Kamala Harris for California governor, new pollsuggests

Rubio will be an easy confirmation. Names like Gaetz, Gabbard and Hegseth will be difficult. Not uncommon for the firt nominees to be bow out before hearings.

In the Army we use the term Platoon Leader. As for the DOD it is a mess and yes DEI needs to go but Sec Def has a long list on a daily basis. As an outsider to the Pentagon he would offer a fresh perspective but he has to work with "old men" in uniform who have been in place for decades. If confirmed this will be the most difficult hurdle to overcome.

I am not a Trumper, not MAGA, not a Dem or a leftie but Hegseth has written 6 books but does that make him a good fit as Sectreaty of Defense? I don't know it will be up to the Senate. Of course Republicans have a majority and a simple majority vote is needed for a cabinet appointment.

From the esteemed Democratic Senator from PA John Fetterman about Matt Gaetz: "That <deleted>". Let the games begin.

Ok. So what makes a person qualified to run the largest Federal Agency in the US Government: 1 Annual budget of over $800 Billion 2. Close to 1 million men and women on active duty 3. Close to 1 million civilian employees in the DOD 4. Hundreds of military bases in Asia, Europe and Middle East Hegseth was a commissioned officer in the Minnesota Army National Guard with deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan and was assigned to Guantanamo, Cuba where he was part of the detainee operations. Also, he won the Bronze Star so that is significant. Many servicemembers have been deployed to both places and this includes myself. It does not appear he held a command position such as company commander or even as a battalion commander. His last military status was as a member of the IRR(Individual Ready Reserve). Just like you let's see how his confirmation hearing goes? The DOD is serious business and like many veterans we are concerned as to where the "bucks stops" at the Pentagon.

The Matt Gaetz confirmation hearing (that is if he stays in) could be wild. Not sure how many friends Gaetz has on eitehr side of the Senate aisle.

You mean retired general? An active duty general cannot be a paid consultant.

I used to watch Fox & Friends on the weekends where Hegseth is one of the hosts and watching him act like a clown at times was cringeworthy. Just can't imagine him holding a staff meeting wih the JCS. In essence a TV personality who is a veteran has been nominated to one of the most important positions in the cabinet.