The ‘Warrior Ethos’ Promises Victory — History Says It Leads to Defeat

The ‘warrior ethos’ promises victory — history says it leads to defeat

The USS Thomas Hudner fires a land attack missile in support of Operation Epic Fury in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, March 1, 2026. (Photo by U.S. Navy) At Marine Corps Base Quantico in September 2025, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth promised assembled generals “maximum lethality” and no “stupid rules of engagement.” Under his leadership, the newly rebranded Department of War would “untie the hands of our warfighters to intimid…

The "Warrior Ethos" Promises Victory, History Says It Leads to Defeat

Photograph Source: Gage Skidmore – CC BY-Sa 2.0 At Marine Corps Base Quantico in September 2025, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth promised assembled generals “maximum lethality” and no “stupid rules of engagement.” Under his leadership, the newly rebranded Department of War would “untie the hands of our warfighters to intimidate, demoralize, hunt, and kill.” Troops would be held to the “highest male standard,” he said. “Weak men won’t qualify.” He…