Defense Secretary Hegseth unveils plans to revive the military’s “warrior ethos” and calls U.S. strikes on Iran historic.

Defense Chief Aims to Instill ‘Warrior Ethos’ and Raise Standards

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has outlined a sweeping agenda to restore what he calls the “warrior mentality” in the United States military, highlighting a renewed focus on back-to-basics training, rigorous standards, and operational excellence. In a wide-ranging interview, Hegseth emphasized the Trump administration’s commitment to rebuilding American military strength and ensuring the armed forces are equipped for modern threats.

Reflecting on his early tenure at the Pentagon, Hegseth described serving as defense secretary as the “honor of a lifetime.” He credited President Donald Trump’s leadership for setting a clear tone from the outset. “Restore the warrior ethos, rebuild our military—which President Trump did in the first term, and we're doing again,” Hegseth said, summarizing his approach to military transformation.

Operation Midnight Hammer: A Landmark U.S. Mission

Hegseth praised the recent U.S. military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, calling the mission—Operation Midnight Hammer—one of the “most brilliant efforts in our military history.” He highlighted the precision and professionalism of the pilots involved, as well as the strategic importance of the operation in neutralizing potential threats. “All the love and credit go to those in uniform who pulled it off,” Hegseth remarked, while stressing the decisive role played by President Trump as commander-in-chief in authorizing the strike. “Those places were obliterated, and he was right,” Hegseth added.

The defense secretary also spoke about the fundamental reforms being implemented across the armed forces, with an emphasis on physical fitness and basic military discipline. “One of the most basic things you can do in the military is do PT in the morning. And that's what we're trying to do, get back to basics,” he said. Hegseth insisted that physical standards must apply equally to all service members, regardless of gender or identity. “Carrying a rucksack or carrying an artillery round; carrying your buddy across the battlefield—it doesn't matter if you're a man or a woman. You just need to be able to meet the standard.”

Hegseth acknowledged the personal sacrifices involved in leading the Pentagon and credited his family’s unwavering support. “It's been a family thing from the beginning. I couldn't do this without my wife. She's been right there by my side—been my rock. But then also, you know, the kids don't know what to think of it, right? I'm just dad to them.”

Despite the progress made, Hegseth emphasized that his mission to instill a long-term “warrior ethos” is far from complete. “Driving change into institutions is a difficult thing to do. The response of the American people, the immediate response to recruiting—it inspires the building. There's a ton of work left to be done to truly put the ‘America First’ fingerprint on the Defense Department. We've just gotten started.”

As the Trump administration continues to shape defense policy and military culture, Hegseth’s vision centers on resilience, readiness, and an unyielding commitment to national security. The ongoing transformation of the armed forces is set to define the next era of American military power.