Hegseth outlines DOD priorities at Pentagon town hall

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reaffirmed his top priorities for the Defense Department during a Pentagon town hall, emphasizing warfighting readiness, military rebuilding, and deterrence. Hegseth underscored a return to the "warrior ethos," stating that DOD’s mission is to deter conflict and, if necessary, "completely destroy, demoralize, and defeat enemies." He praised improving military recruitment numbers, attributing them to enthusiasm for military service.

To rebuild the armed forces and the defense industrial base, Hegseth called for an aggressive approach, free of vested interests, and committed to ensuring the Pentagon passes a clean financial audit by 2029. He also highlighted border security as a national security imperative, vowing to achieve "100% operational control" of the southern border.

SecDef emphasized that DOD’s strength comes from unity, meritocracy, and accountability, pledging a fast-moving, unconventional approach to reform.