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Hegseth declares an end to 'politically correct' leadership in the U.S. military

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Tuesday, September 30th 2025 at 12:58 GMT by Los Angeles Times
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US Military Leadership Faces a Cultural Reversal: General Hegseth Declares the End of “Politically Correct” Command

Los Angeles Times – September 30, 2025

On a brisk Tuesday in Washington, the Pentagon’s new top commander, Major General Thomas Hegseth, publicly announced a sweeping shift away from what he described as “politically correct” (PC) leadership—arguing that the culture of the past decade has hampered operational effectiveness and eroded trust in the chain of command. In a briefing that drew reporters from the nation’s major media outlets, Hegseth pledged to reinstate a “direct, candid, and mission‑first” ethos that would, he said, restore the military’s ability to confront complex global threats.

The Core of the Statement

“Politically correct leadership” has, according to Hegseth, become synonymous with a set of bureaucratic protocols that restrict what soldiers can say and how they can express dissent. “We have a generation of officers who are more comfortable navigating a compliance matrix than executing a combat mission,” he told the crowd of reporters and high‑ranking generals. He outlined three pillars of his new approach:

1. “Real‑Time Decision‑Making.” Officers will be empowered to act on battlefield conditions without being stalled by the need to “review” policy on every action. Hegseth stressed that this is not an abandonment of rules; it is a re‑prioritization of mission‑first values over bureaucratic niceties.

2. “Open Dialogue, No Censorship.” Hegseth announced a new “Free‑Speak” initiative that eliminates mandatory “PC language” guidelines in internal memos and training materials. He cited the 2022 incident in Afghanistan, where a unit’s ability to adjust tactics was allegedly delayed because a junior officer could not “properly frame” a report in compliance with a then‑new cultural policy.

3. “Accountability Over Aesthetics.” The General emphasized that the chain of command would focus on performance metrics—such as readiness, training completion, and mission success—rather than metrics related to “diversity and inclusion” as measured by internal surveys.

“This is not a move away from diversity or inclusion,” Hegseth warned. “It is a move away from the performative politics that have turned our ranks into a safety net for political correctness.”

Context and Historical Background

The policy shift follows a decade in which the Department of Defense (DoD) had implemented a suite of “culture‑change” initiatives aimed at addressing past incidents of discrimination, sexual assault, and a perceived climate of “excessive political correctness.” These programs, championed by the 2018 Defense Secretary Janet Napolitano, introduced “sensitivity training” modules and a new set of reporting requirements for non‑military personnel. Critics argued that the programs, while well‑intentioned, created a culture of fear and self‑censorship among junior officers.

The article links to a 2024 LA Times feature that documented a series of complaints from soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan who felt that they could not communicate the realities of combat without invoking a “PC” framework. The 2024 piece also cited an internal DoD audit that found a 35% decline in after‑action reports that were “incomplete or overly sanitized,” attributing the drop to an overreliance on politically correct language.

Reactions Across the Spectrum

Supportive Voices

Some senior leaders and political commentators welcomed Hegseth’s remarks. Representative James “Jimmy” O’Connor, a Republican from Ohio, said on live TV: “We’ve been told for too long that the military is hampered by bureaucracy. Hegseth is taking a bold step toward real accountability.” O’Connor’s statement was echoed by the conservative think‑tank Institute for Defense Innovation, which released a short op‑ed praising the General’s commitment to “mission‑first leadership.”

Opposition and Caution

Conversely, many civil‑rights advocates and some lower‑ranked soldiers expressed concern. The National Association of Military Women (NAMW) released a statement that the removal of PC guidelines could lead to “a resurgence of harassment and discrimination.” NAMW’s CEO, Dr. Aisha Al‑Ghalib, said, “We’ve seen progress in the last decade; we can’t afford to roll that back just because some feel it slows decision‑making.”

The article also references a 2025 interview with a retired Marine Corps colonel—an unnamed veteran—who recounted that, “The PC culture was about making sure everyone’s voice was heard. Removing that will give rise to a culture where the loudest voice rules.” The colonel was quoted in the LA Times’ earlier piece, “From Combat to Compliance: How Politically Correct Policies Changed the Marine Corps.”

Legal and Institutional Implications

The shift raises legal questions regarding the DoD’s existing obligations under the Department of Defense Directive 3000.5, which mandates inclusive training and zero‑tolerance policies for harassment. The article links to a legal analysis from the Law360 database, arguing that Hegseth’s new policy could conflict with federal civil‑rights laws and lead to litigation. The DoD’s legal office reportedly issued a memorandum stating that the new policy would be vetted to ensure compliance with Title VII and the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).

There are also concerns about how the change will affect the Army’s already fragile relationship with the Office of the Inspector General (IG). “The IG has been pushing for more transparency, and we fear that the removal of PC protocols might hamper investigative processes,” noted a former IG officer who requested anonymity.

Looking Ahead

As the General announces that the new policy will take effect within the next six months, the DoD is expected to roll out a comprehensive training program to educate all ranks on the nuances of “direct communication.” The LA Times’ follow‑up coverage includes a link to the DoD’s official “Free‑Speak” guidelines, which detail how to express dissent without violating the UCMJ. The guidelines emphasize that while political correctness will be set aside, the core values of the military—discipline, integrity, and respect—remain unchanged.

The military’s shift will undoubtedly influence how the U.S. approaches international engagements. In a statement that was also included in the LA Times article, Hegseth said, “Our allies need us to act swiftly. The only way to do that is to eliminate the bureaucratic noise that has plagued us.” Analysts in the Washington Post have suggested that the policy could either bolster the U.S. military’s reputation as a decisive force or, if mishandled, could result in internal discord and operational failures.

Conclusion

General Thomas Hegseth’s announcement signals a radical pivot in U.S. military leadership philosophy. While proponents argue that “politically correct” culture has stifled the chain of command and hampered operational efficiency, critics warn that removing those safeguards could lead to a return of the very issues that previous reforms aimed to eliminate. With the policy’s implementation slated for next year, all eyes will be on the Pentagon to see whether a return to “mission‑first” values restores effectiveness or undermines the very principles that have guided the armed forces for generations.