The Department of Defense needs more than just a qualified candidate to be secretary—it needs a proven leader. It requires a candidate who not only understands military strategy and operations, but also possesses true character, loyalty, and vision to inspire the men and women who dutifully serve our country.
There are plenty of highly qualified candidates who would gladly fill this role, but the Department of Defense needs a proven leader. It needs someone who has a deep understanding of service, sacrifice, and the American warrior spirit. Pete Hegseth is exactly the man for the job.
Some might consider Hegseth an unconventional choice. Having served directly in combat over three deployments, he aligns with president-elect Donald Trump‘s tendency to select candidates who go against the status quo. Hegseth represents the ideal liaison for a new era in American defense policy.
Hegseth embodies a rare combination: elite education, battlefield experience, and unwavering dedication to the United States. After graduating from Princeton, he could have chosen any path from the storied Ivy League halls. While his peers moved on to Wall Street and other corridors of power, Hegseth chose a path of selfless service—commissioning as an infantry officer and deploying to Guantanamo Bay, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
It is that service, and his willingness to shoulder real risks in combat, that sets Hegseth apart from so many other public figures. He has led soldiers in difficult and high-stakes environments. His leadership is not theoretical—it has been tested in the crucible of combat.
As someone who served alongside then-second lieutenant Pete Hegseth during a deployment to Guantanamo Bay, I witnessed how he embodies the qualities that make him a natural-born leader and a man worthy of safeguarding our nation’s survival.
During that deployment, Hegseth stood out as a leader among leaders. While many officers might delegate and maintain their distance, he led by example. His exceptional professionalism and physical and mental fortitude inspired his soldiers to follow him willingly. Leadership isn’t granted through service—it’s earned through action, and he earned his men’s trust.
Hegseth’s leadership style was not about rank or privilege—it was about responsibility and respect. His actions showed integrity, courage, and genuine care for those who served under him. These qualities extended well beyond his military service, as he continued to be one of America’s most vocal and effective advocates for veterans and active-duty troops after his service.
Hegseth’s loyalty to those with whom he served remains steadfast years after our deployment. He maintains connections through unit reunions and personal friendships, while using his public platform to champion veterans, warfighters, and their families. His dedication to service members has never faltered.
In an era when so many in Washington seem detached from the realities of military service, Pete Hegseth’s firsthand experience and unshakable commitment to our armed forces stands out as invaluable.
Those who have worked with him, as I have, know his leadership is not simply inspiring—it’s contagious. I credit him, in part, for my decision to transition from the Army National Guard to active duty, where I continued to serve in operational and combat assignments worldwide. His example demonstrated true leadership and purposeful service, leaving an indelible mark on countless patriots who served alongside him.
The secretary of defense must be someone the military trusts—someone troops know has walked in their boots and understands the weight of their sacrifice. Pete Hegseth embodies this level of trust.
Time and time again, he has proven that he will put America’s interests first, that he will defend the values that make this country great. Moreover, he would serve as an inspiration for the next generation of warriors dedicated to serving their country.
If there’s one person I would follow in combat again, it’s Pete Hegseth. If there’s one person who can restore faith in the Department of Defense, inspire our military, and defend this nation with both wisdom and courage, it’s him. America needs a secretary of defense who leads by example, values loyalty, and understands true service.
This isn’t unconventional, it’s the dawn of a new era in American leadership.
Derek McCall served with Pete Hegseth from May 2004 to May 2005 in Guantanamo Bay. Derek’s opinions are his own and not those of the US Army.
Read the full op-ed from Newsweek here.