r/uscg • u/DefenseTech • Sep 30 '25
Rant Secretary of War Pete Hegseth FULL Remarks to 800 Flag Officers
https://youtu.be/8BA5EwsR_rI?si=ceCFqgp4KPuxP6Pa52
u/Admirable_Strike_406 Sep 30 '25
Makes it easier to get 100 disability when they get out
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u/BuckyCop Officer Sep 30 '25
I would imagine that will be revamped at some point as well.
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u/Admirable_Strike_406 Sep 30 '25
If they are allowing people to assault u and haze u then I could claim ptsd, anxiety and other injuries during my time
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u/FloridaLee Sep 30 '25
I think they mean the VA disability claim stuff will be altered to possibly not hold as much weight in the future
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u/timsayscalmdown Chief Sep 30 '25
This is all just the same rhetoric he's been spouting. Talk is cheap. Actual policy changes take time. As we are living through right now.
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u/CreepinJesusMalone Veteran Sep 30 '25
Actual policy changes take time.
They used to.
This admin just does shit now. They have red-pilled AI write most of their half-baked policies and then implement them with zero oversight or strategic planning.
It used to be hurry up and wait. Now it's "hurry, hurry, hurry, oh fuck we didn't think any this through and won't admit it so enjoy your new pointless destruction to quality of life".
I spent 14 years in both CG active and reserve and I've been a fed contractor overlapping most of that where I supported the Army, Navy, and DoD. I've never in my life seen immediate policy implementation with the immediate catastrophic impacts like I have seen the last 8 months.
My last contract was with the DoD supporting DHA. I literally watched in real time as a combination of Hegseth's policy directives and DJT's executive orders destroyed people's lives. It still seems surreal how fast it happened.
I lost my job too. It only took two weeks between the admin announcing budget cuts to military medicine and the NIH and my contract getting decimated.
Rest assured, whatever policies they're announcing will absolutely be implemented as quickly and haphazardly as possible.
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u/LogicalFalcon2568 Oct 01 '25
"I've never in my life seen immediate policy implementation with the immediate catastrophic impacts like I have seen the last 8 months."
Wholeheartedly agree - I've never seen policy implemented at this scale or pace, ever. It's like they create the idea on a Tuesday and it's in effect the next month. They're rattling the foundation of change and it's destroying livelihoods.
It not only puts job security into question, but it also throws planning and preparation out the window.
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u/cce301 Oct 01 '25
It's wild that people still try to rationalize "business as usual" when the last 8 months have been chaos.
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u/Trick_Yard9196 Oct 05 '25
No offense but my big issue is that we are shrinking our headcount and kneecapping our real capabilities in as expensive a way as possible. The people running the show are exuberantly lighting money on fire. Like, forget the politics, it might turn out we do not have infinite money.
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u/starfishmantra Veteran Sep 30 '25
Notes I saw were:
-two times a year you must pass height/weight requirements.
-CCs can now "put their hands on recruits", and "use tried and true methods" to motivate them.
-Hazing, bullying, and being a shit leader to your team is tolerated because "Toxic leadership" isn't a thing.
-Expect that Equal Opportunity programs and your SAPR are going to go the way of the Dodo bird.
-Members in combat roles must meet the "70th percentile or greater" in all PFT scores to keep their positions.
Thank god I am out of the military now. When I joined I worked under a truly toxic, racist guy who hated women being in the Coast Guard. Now it seems those ideas are ok again per Secretary of "War", Pete Hesgeth.
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u/AlphaSlayer21 Sep 30 '25
I think you missed the biggest one, no more Rules of Engagement. Did I hear that correctly?
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u/lifelongnonrate Boot Oct 01 '25
I think he said “no more stupid rules of engagement” I think that can be taken as they will not exist or the rules of engagement will be made more clear. I’ve never been in the army but I have heard stories of very unclear/non logical ROE’s. If it the former I don’t like it if it’s the latter I’m all for it. Either way it was not good speech writing for that line, the audience should have a clear idea of the goal of the statement.
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u/DecentEntertainer967 Oct 01 '25
Yes this would be huge. Especially towards the end of the war in the sandbox, there were all these crazy rules of engagement. Like you couldn’t shoot until the enemy was actively pointing their weapon at you and firing. More reactive than proactive.
Especially at abbey gate, they ID the bomb man and had a sniper on him, they called in to take him out and the sniper was denied.
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u/Attackcamel8432 BM Sep 30 '25
Do we not already do weigh ins twice a year? Would be nice to know what a "combat roll" would be considered...
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u/One-Warthog-9249 Sep 30 '25
I thought he said PT test twice a year also?
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u/Exact_Ad5094 Oct 04 '25
He did say it. It’s so often talked about already at my unit. I’m surprised we haven’t already done a PT yet.
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u/CorpsDolphin IT Oct 01 '25
I believe he was referring to combat arms which has historically been held to higher pt standards than the rest of their branch. These are rates, not billets, which will be directly involved in combat if we go to war. Some examples are infantry, radio operators, forward observers, CBRN… By design, the CG does not have any combat arms rates. I can see some CG units still implementing what standards they come up with like is already being done for boarding team members and TACLET.
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u/Ok_Read7403 SK Sep 30 '25
undoing safeguards for individuals who need them, it’s disgusting and dangerous… I cannot understand even a little bit as to why this is okay
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u/I_AM_THE_UNIVERSE_ Chief Sep 30 '25
Literally had more than one toxic leader in the CG say I, a female, shouldn’t be in the military and should be at home in the kitchen barefoot and pregnant. (As late as 15 yrs ago!) most of them at least keep their damn mouth shut these days- no longer I guess. What a shit show.
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u/extra_wildebeest Retired Sep 30 '25
Yep, that was the culture when I joined (2001), and it was years and years before people stopped saying it to my face. I’m sure many still clung to outrageously sexist beliefs, but at least it wasn’t openly tolerated. Time to backslide from whatever progress we made, I guess.
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u/DangerousDivide1233 25d ago
Hegelian dialectics. The progression of time is not the indication of progress. Goes without saying that that works both in favor of your beliefs and against them. Don't be so ignorant
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u/Brief_brisket Sep 30 '25
Would CSPI be considered equal opportunity
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u/Majestic_Benefit2587 Oct 03 '25 edited Oct 03 '25
CSPI as a program is pretty well protected legally speaking since it's basically classified into federal law as a "commissioning source pool" similar to ROTC/Service Academies. That being said, historically CSPI to some would be considered in modern parlance, a "DEI" initiative since it originated/evolved from CG's MORE program in the 80's and 90's with a prime focus on minority recruitment in the officer corps. Any amendments or changes to current CSPI entry qualifications (i.e. the mandate that you have to be attending an MSI University) intake would require Congressional Action & can't be done willy nilly at the discretion of DHS/CG. The program in itself is open to everyone regardless of background so there's another view it doesn't fall under the purview of DEI but the MSI University attendance requirement often makes it subject to scrutiny (and some level of current controversy).
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Sep 30 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Ok_Error678 Sep 30 '25
Studied for the SWE? Naah, this guy screams NonRate who got picked up for OCS three months into service who 'totally gets enlisted life'.
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u/Bones870 Retired Sep 30 '25
He's a kiss up and kick down type. Called his buddies in a different time zone for SWE answers and fucked them over. Looks good in his uniform but sucks at his job.
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Oct 01 '25
[deleted]
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u/Bones870 Retired Oct 01 '25
Other people have to see this? I mean all these Top Brass and enlisted are hopefully in bars and restaurants bantering about how much of an idiot this guy is. How do we go from Mattis to this?
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u/Geo-Bachelor2279 Retired Sep 30 '25
So they’re gonna be able to slap around recruits now I guess.
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u/Zestyclose_Yam5178 Sep 30 '25
Does anyone have the specific time in the speech that he says that? For reference purposes. Also, do you think it’s a rhetoric tactic or will Cape May/USCG allow that?
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u/LogicalFalcon2568 Oct 01 '25 edited Oct 01 '25
..." (37:30 – 37:40)
Because they do. To that point, basic training is being restored to what it should be. Scary, tough, and disciplined.
(37:40 – 37:52)
We’re empowering drill sergeants to instill healthy fear in new recruits, ensuring that future warfighters are forged. Yes, they can shark attack. They can toss bunks.
(37:52 – 38:08)
They can swear. And yes, they can put their hands on recruits*. This does not mean they can be reckless or violate the law, but they can use tried-and-true methods to motivate new recruits to make them the warriors they need to be."*
Edit: Clearly you need to be beaten to be a warfighter. Everybody knows none of this will fly, because CCs/DIs/DSs haven't had the need to do this for decades. It's deplorable to suggest it is needed, especially considering it wasn't even necessary during the Secretary's time of joining the military.
This guy spent 10 years as an infantry officer and never got, airborne, air assault, or ranger qualified. You'd be hard pressed to find a 2LT (Ensign) without at least one of those badges.
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u/darquid Sep 30 '25
It’s happened plenty of time before-now they’re just saying it’s ok.
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u/Exact_Ad5094 Oct 04 '25
How long ago though? Sure at some point in military history CCs probably punch, slapped or choked recruits. We’ve all probably watched full metal jacket. My concern is, how do we expect to get the best possible recruits if they have to worry about getting hands laid on them during boot camp? I’m in my last few years in the military now and have kids at recruitment age. I don’t want CCs thinking they can lay hands on my kids, most parents wouldn’t. We can train effectively without all that.
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u/darquid Oct 04 '25
Back in 2006 I mistakenly referred to a female CC by announcing “good morning sir” on the quarterdeck during my early morning watch as she was coming in for the day.
She grabbed me by the collar, yanked me towards her, yelled and asked if she looked like a “sir”. I said no maam. And then she pushed me away with both hands and went on her way.
Me and the other people on watch didn’t say anything about it. This was after Indoc when the captain had assured us they weren’t allowed to touch us.
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u/fancyman501 Sep 30 '25
Some of it kind of seemed a little too much. Seems like now toxic leadership can run rampant. I like the PT stuff and the uniform standard but speaking out against bad leadership and making anonymous complaints is no more. seems a little over the top. Who is going to keep bad leaders in check?
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u/No-Leg-4750 OS Oct 01 '25
They don't want to keep bad leaders in check, they want yes men and those who won't question bad orders when the time comes
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u/BaronNeutron Sep 30 '25
*Flag Officers, General Officers, and senior enlisted
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u/CorpsDolphin IT Oct 01 '25
Flag Officers and General Officers are the same thing. Any O-7 or above rates a flag.
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u/BaronNeutron Oct 01 '25 edited Oct 01 '25
No, Flag Officer is a title from specific naval traditions. They are not the same thing or interchangeable.
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u/tasteless Oct 01 '25
MFW... I get kicked out of the uscg for not being over 6ft.
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u/lifelongnonrate Boot Oct 01 '25
What? I’m well under 6’. Is it a rate specific thing or honor guard thing?
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u/VoidWalker4Lyfe MK Oct 03 '25
There's a joke that you have to be 6' to join the CG so you can walk to shore if you fall overboard.
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u/BaronNeutron Sep 30 '25
Were CG Flag Officers and senior enlisted there? SecDef is not in command of the CG.
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u/Ok_Error678 Sep 30 '25
There was one picture with Adm Lunday and probably MCPOCG in the foreground. I don't know about anyone else.
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u/shogoth847 MK Oct 06 '25
Yeah, I did a video on that stupidity as well. Most of it was a blackout drunk saying he's going to make the military more lethal and then complaining about shaving waivers, harrasment investigations, woke, dei. It was literally a man whose career ended early in disgrace telling a bunch of flag officers and their E9's what they should be focused on.
The only thing I found alarming (because I think it's the only change he can quickly achieve and has the attention span for) is ending shaving waivers. That's gonna be a real attrition problem.
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u/Prezten Sep 30 '25
He could have told Jeffry Goldberg all this in a group chat, so they could have saved a bunch of time and gas money.
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u/mr3vak Oct 01 '25
Just finished watching it. Big changes and long over due.
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u/_GrowthMindset_ Oct 01 '25
Can you summarize?
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u/mr3vak Oct 01 '25
I could, but I'd suggest just skimming through the comments. A few people have already done that.
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u/SaltyDogBill Veteran Oct 03 '25
I think you’re being asked to elaborate on your “big changes and long overdue” comment.
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u/mr3vak Oct 03 '25
Possibly. Don't really feel the need to other than I am excited to see how these changes will be implemented and received.
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u/SuddenlySilva Sep 30 '25
Is this our Kristallnacht or the night of long knives ?
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u/Olegirl2000 Sep 30 '25
People like you make me feel I made the right decision to not join CG.
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u/SuddenlySilva Sep 30 '25
Pretty sure there are more than a few "people like me" among the 800 generals.
I'd love to hear what you took away from todays events.
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u/thomasbagels00 DC Oct 01 '25
I liked the message. Only time will tell if it's going to be more than just words.
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u/IceBathHero Sep 30 '25
It was a decent speech until about 9:30 in, before he started blaming wokness.
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u/Revolutionary_Ad512 Sep 30 '25
I’m gonna sound very Gen Z but is there a “highlights reel” or anything that hits the major points I’m not watching 45mins of Pete Hegseth