patrick.net

Literally kneeling:

CNN ran the story below the headline, “Hegseth orders military culture overhaul: ‘if you don’t agree, resign.’”

“From this moment forward,” Secretary Hegseth told the assembled generals, “the only mission of the newly restored Department of War is this: war fighting, preparing for war, and preparing to win. We are not the WOKE department.” Then he delivered an incandescent speech that can only be described as the most un-politically correct address the generals have heard in 20 years. It was both profoundly patriotic and deliberately offensive, at least in traditional woke terms.

For instance, he informed the commanders, “No more identity months, DEI offices, dudes in dresses. No more climate change worship. No more division, distraction, or gender delusions… We are done with that with sh—t.” Hegseth said goodbye to “beardos” (weird-looking facial hairstyles), and sneered at “politically correct, overly sensitive, don’t hurt anyone’s feelings leadership.”

“We became the woke department,” Hegseth explained to the generals, who sat stony-faced, not applauding or even moving a muscle. “An entire generation of generals and admirals were told that they must parrot the insane fallacy that ‘our diversity is our strength.’ Of course, we know our unity is our strength. They were forced to put out dizzying DEI and LGBTQI+ statements. They were told females and males are the same thing, and that males who think they’re females is totally normal. They were told to kick out Americans who refuse an emergency vaccine.”

Then he dropped the rhetorical bunker-buster: “It’s completely unacceptable to see fat generals and fat admirals in the halls of the Pentagon and leading commands around the country and the world. It’s a bad look,” he advised the crowd of mostly fit war leaders, who were sneaking glances up and down the rows to see who Hegseth’s fat-shaming gun was aimed at. Several quietly dropped their complimentary donuts.

Then the bunker buster exploded. Hegseth said, “So whether you’re an airborne ranger or a chairborne ranger, a brand new private or a four-star general, you need to meet the height and weight standards and pass your PT test.” Oh, boy. And just as they were reeling from that news, Hegseth announced he was canceling soft standards for female combat troops. There’ll be one standard for everyone. And drill sergeants will be allowed (again) to curse at and “put their hands on” new recruits.

Hegseth said the military would be returned to the “1990s standard.”

“Simply put,” the Secretary concluded, “if you do not meet the male level standards for combat positions, cannot pass a PT (physical training) test, or don’t want to shave and look professional, it’s time for a new position or a new profession.” ...

It is perhaps unsurprising that the reporter class —made up of 20-somethings who wouldn’t know an MRE from an unfinished latrine— were the most upset by Hegseth’s speech. It was mean, they seemed to cry in unison. He hurt their feelings. ...

First, the reason why nobody in the room complained about hurt feelings or meanness is because those soldiers know that, if they can’t handle a mild chewing out from their superior officer, how can they possibly face armed insurgents devoted to killing them?

Second, many of the generals’ entire careers unfolded during the era of woke. Although their personal opinions probably vary widely, just like other Americans, their brains are wired to prioritize political correctness. It will take effort and time to de-program them.

The Secretary of War spoke not only to his generals but to the entire nation. You better believe every soldier in every military branch was watching in rapt attention and heard the same instructions the generals received.

That speech was also meant for us, as a kind of public pledge and commitment. Now, every soldier and every citizen knows the standard— and knows what those generals and admirals are supposed to do.

It was brilliant.

Those crossed legs are a bit bothersome, though. Notice how Patton is sitting.