OPINION:
Some of us with long histories observing the military have never thought that Pete Hegseth was the right person to head the Department of Defense.
His friction with now-former Army Secretary Dan Driscoll — who is well-respected on both sides of the aisle for his visionary leadership — strongly suggests that he should be replaced. By Mr. Driscoll.
I know something about the military. married a U.S. Navy pilot who was lost/went missing in action in Vietnam in 1971. He has never been repatriated.
Observing military leadership became a mission for me. My perspective as a Gold Star Wife made it especially important to me to learn how and why our armed forces performed best. My vested interest extends to the present.
My first spouse’s two children, both of whom graduated Annapolis as their dad did, served. Our son was a career Marine aviator; his sister served in the navy before separating and marrying a naval aviator who went on to be the first skipper of the aircraft carrier the USS George H.W. Bush.
I remarried a career Marine pilot who gave me another look deeper into the comparisons and strengths of the military branches. He also lent me perspectives on the navy during my first husband’s our two children’s time there, and the more recent commissioning of two granddaughters to the Marine Corps and navy.
It is difficult to explain visceral evaluations of military leaders, but I trust my gut when it comes to them. It is hard to articulate, but generally trustworthy.
SUSAN PERCY
Clifton, Virginia
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