The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free

The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free (2024) by Pete Hegseth examines the ideological and cultural shifts within the US military, arguing that “woke” policies, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and political overreach have compromised combat readiness and traditional warrior values. Hegseth, a former Army National Guard officer who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Guantanamo Bay, draws on his military experience as well as his platform as a television host on Fox & Friends Weekend to present his critique of modern military leadership. Blending elements of political commentary, military analysis, and cultural critique, the book frames itself as a warning against the growing influence of leftist ideologies in the armed forces. Published amid ongoing debates over military recruitment, readiness, and the role of DEI initiatives in federal institutions, The War on Warriors engages themes such as The Erosion of Military Readiness, The Loss of Accountability in Military Leadership, and The Role of Moral and Spiritual Foundations in Military Service. The book has drawn both support and criticism for its polarizing claims and unapologetic tone, with some viewing it as a vital defense of military tradition and others as an oversimplification of complex issues. 

This study guide references the 2024 Fox News Books ebook edition.

Content Warning: The source material and guide feature depictions of political extremism, racism, gender discrimination, critiques of diversity policies, and depictions of combat violence.

Language Note: This guide reflects Hegseth’s use of potentially offensive terms like “racial quotas” and “diversity hire.” These terms are preserved to accurately represent the source text’s arguments.

Summary

The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free by Pete Hegseth argues that the US military is being undermined by ideological shifts driven by Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and other “woke” cultural priorities. Hegseth, a former Army officer and current television host, frames the book as both a critique of modern military leadership and a call to action for young patriots to “reclaim” the armed forces. Drawing on his personal experiences, historical analogies, and contemporary policy debates, Hegseth asserts that these ideological influences are eroding the military’s traditional focus on readiness, lethality, and merit-based advancement.

The book opens with Hegseth’s reflections on his military service from 2001 to 2021, a period that saw US involvement in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other global conflicts. He describes how the “warrior ethos” that once defined military service has been displaced by bureaucratic oversight and social engineering. His disillusionment with the military stems from what he perceives as a growing divide between soldiers on the ground and top military leadership, who, in his view, prioritize political correctness over combat effectiveness. This shift, he argues, represents a betrayal of soldiers who risk their lives for the nation.

One of the book’s central arguments is that military leadership has been compromised by careerism and ideological conformity. Hegseth critiques generals and senior officers of being overly concerned with organizational politicking, accusing them of prioritizing personal advancement over their duty to soldiers and the mission. He draws on specific events, such as the 2021 US withdrawal from Afghanistan, as evidence of this failure. Hegseth asserts that top officials responsible for strategic missteps faced no consequences, while rank-and-file soldiers were punished for minor infractions. This double standard is framed as emblematic of a broader loss of accountability within the military hierarchy.

A major focus of The War on Warriors is the role of DEI initiatives, which Hegseth frames as ideological distractions that compromise military readiness. He argues that these programs, rather than promoting merit and unity, foster division by emphasizing demographic quotas over competence. Drawing on specific examples, such as West Point’s introduction of a Diversity & Inclusion Studies minor and the use of DEI training at military academies, Hegseth claims these initiatives dilute military preparedness. He argues that prioritizing identity-based recruitment and promotion risks alienating the type of recruits most essential to military success. Critics of this view often highlight research showing that diversity improves problem-solving and decision-making, but Hegseth rejects this perspective, maintaining that combat effectiveness should be the military’s only priority.

The book also critiques the role of military lawyers from the Judge Advocate General Corps (JAG) and restrictive rules of engagement. Hegseth recounts his experience leading a platoon in Iraq, where JAG officers instructed soldiers not to engage enemies unless weapons were actively aimed at them—a policy he views as dangerously impractical. He argues that legal oversight has overtaken battlefield decision-making. This critique underscores a larger point in the book: that excessive oversight and fear of litigation hinder the military’s ability to act decisively in combat. Hegseth draws parallels between these modern restrictions and older concepts of “just war” theory, arguing that while international laws were designed to limit civilian casualties, they are now being exploited by America’s non-state enemies, who do not abide by the same rules.

Hegseth also addresses the controversial issue of women in combat roles, arguing that gender integration has lowered physical standards and undermined unit cohesion. He cites the 2015 Marine Corps study, which found that all-male units outperformed gender-integrated units in 93 of 134 combat tasks. He claims that in order to accommodate female soldiers, the military has relaxed physical fitness standards, which could have life-or-death consequences in combat situations. While proponents of gender integration argue that it increases opportunity and fairness, Hegseth frames it as an ideological initiative that sacrifices effectiveness for the sake of symbolic progress.

Another key concept in the book is what Hegseth calls “mission creep,” a term traditionally used to describe the expansion of military objectives in foreign conflicts. Here, Hegseth redefines it as a shift in the military’s internal mission, from a focus on warfighting to an emphasis on social justice and ideological conformity. He describes this shift as an internal cultural conflict that parallels the broader political divides in American society. This “mission creep,” he argues, diverts time, resources, and attention away from essential combat training and toward non-combat issues, like DEI education and anti-extremism training.

Hegseth uses his personal experiences as case studies. In one chapter, he recounts being denied reassignment to his old unit in the New York National Guard. He claims that his exclusion was politically motivated and that he was unfairly labeled an extremist due to his Christian beliefs and conservative views. A central anecdote involves his Jerusalem Cross tattoo, which military officials reportedly cited as evidence of extremism. Hegseth frames this experience as an example of how religious soldiers and those with conservative leanings are being purged from the ranks, creating a climate of ideological intolerance. This, he argues, represents a broader trend within the military, in which soldiers are punished for holding conservative beliefs or supporting figures like Donald Trump.

Hegseth’s critique of military academies like West Point, Annapolis, and the Air Force Academy forms another major component of the book. He claims that these institutions, which once emphasized combat training and leadership development, have been transformed by ideological influence from civilian academia. He highlights policies like the inclusion of DEI coursework and the introduction of DEI officer positions as evidence of ideological capture. He argues that these initiatives are eroding the ethos of meritocracy and unity that once defined military academies. By allowing civilian professors with progressive views to influence cadet training, he claims, these institutions are producing “woke” officers who prioritize social change over combat readiness.

The book’s closing chapters shift focus to themes of faith, legacy, and the future of America’s military. Hegseth reflects on the Old Testament story of Gideon, using it as an allegory for modern America. Just as Gideon led a small, disciplined force to victory, Hegseth believes that only a disciplined minority of warriors can restore the moral and spiritual foundation of the US military. Using concept of “covenantal duty,” he compares the US Constitution to a sacred covenant that binds the country together. He argues that the nation has drifted from this covenant, becoming divided by tribalism and political ideology. This shift, he warns, could lead to the collapse of the United States as a global superpower.

In the epilogue, framed as a letter to his sons, Hegseth offers a personal call to action. He reflects on the legacy he hopes to leave behind, urging his sons to become “warriors” no matter what they pursue. He invokes the biblical concept of a moral charge, encouraging them to preserve the principles of honor, integrity, and faith in every aspect of their lives. By asking his sons whether America is still worth fighting for, Hegseth leaves readers with a broader existential question about the future of the nation. His final message is one of resilience and hope, calling on readers to restore the military’s focus on mission readiness, moral courage, and constitutional fidelity.

The War on Warriors offers a divisive critique of the modern US military and its leadership. Through a blend of personal experience, social commentary, and cultural analysis, Hegseth aims to highlight what he sees as the dangers of ideological capture. While some see the book as a partisan polemic, it raises broader questions about the purpose of military service, the role of political ideology in military affairs, and the nature of leadership. The book’s core themes—accountability, readiness, and the spiritual foundation of military service—invite readers to consider how the military should balance tradition with progress in a rapidly changing society.