Pete Hegseth

And hopefully that's a motivating factor for young people. But it. The reality of obesity and criminal backgrounds and medical problems have long been an issue of recruitment in America, unfortunately.

And hopefully that's a motivating factor for young people. But it. The reality of obesity and criminal backgrounds and medical problems have long been an issue of recruitment in America, unfortunately.

What changed is the perception of military service because of the condition of the services and, frankly, because of, in some ways, the way our schools don't teach young people to love the country anymore. And if you don't love the country, why do you want to serve that country? That's a deeper problem.

What changed is the perception of military service because of the condition of the services and, frankly, because of, in some ways, the way our schools don't teach young people to love the country anymore. And if you don't love the country, why do you want to serve that country? That's a deeper problem.

But all of those things need to be addressed to revive recruiting, and obesity is certainly a part of it. Thank you for that.

But all of those things need to be addressed to revive recruiting, and obesity is certainly a part of it. Thank you for that.

Senator, absolutely. A number one from day one with a mandate from the commander in chief. who received that mandate when Americans spoke out loudly and said, we want peace through strength, we want America first foreign policy, and we don't want political ideology driving decisions inside our Defense Department. That was clear.

Senator, absolutely. A number one from day one with a mandate from the commander in chief. who received that mandate when Americans spoke out loudly and said, we want peace through strength, we want America first foreign policy, and we don't want political ideology driving decisions inside our Defense Department. That was clear.

It's an infection that the American people are acutely aware of, which the men and women in this room have lived firsthand. I've lived it firsthand. And that's why it will be a priority. And I truly believe, and I'm humbled by this, The response we've already seen from young men and women who've decided to join the military when they had said, I wasn't going to.

It's an infection that the American people are acutely aware of, which the men and women in this room have lived firsthand. I've lived it firsthand. And that's why it will be a priority. And I truly believe, and I'm humbled by this, The response we've already seen from young men and women who've decided to join the military when they had said, I wasn't going to.

But seeing a commander-in-chief, Donald Trump, reassured them. Seeing the possibility, if confirmed, of a secretary of defense that would have their back reassured them. And so in the first couple of months after President Trump...

But seeing a commander-in-chief, Donald Trump, reassured them. Seeing the possibility, if confirmed, of a secretary of defense that would have their back reassured them. And so in the first couple of months after President Trump...

Senator, that's a very important conversation, one that I've been looking at a great deal. A lot of it, just to be clear, involves classifications and understanding precisely cost and capabilities, including capabilities of enemy systems, both not just fourth and fifth, but potential sixth generation, which we've already seen a prototype released from the Chinese.

Senator, that's a very important conversation, one that I've been looking at a great deal. A lot of it, just to be clear, involves classifications and understanding precisely cost and capabilities, including capabilities of enemy systems, both not just fourth and fifth, but potential sixth generation, which we've already seen a prototype released from the Chinese.

That's a dangerous development considering at least the publicly understood condition of NGAD, which I look forward to the opportunity to looking underneath the hood on that. But ensuring fourth and fifth are capable and upgraded as necessary will be a part of our contingency.

That's a dangerous development considering at least the publicly understood condition of NGAD, which I look forward to the opportunity to looking underneath the hood on that. But ensuring fourth and fifth are capable and upgraded as necessary will be a part of our contingency.

But when you look at what's happening in the Indo-Pacific, say operability range is going to matter because it's such a large battle space, that will all factor in decisions that are made. And that's where I feel, frankly, a little bit liberated. is that I didn't work at Lockheed or any number of, pick a defense contractor. I didn't mean to point one out in particular. Pick any. I haven't.

But when you look at what's happening in the Indo-Pacific, say operability range is going to matter because it's such a large battle space, that will all factor in decisions that are made. And that's where I feel, frankly, a little bit liberated. is that I didn't work at Lockheed or any number of, pick a defense contractor. I didn't mean to point one out in particular. Pick any. I haven't.

I don't have a special interest in any particular system or any particular company or any particular narrative. I want to know what works. I want to know what defeats our enemies, what keeps us safe, what deters them, what keeps our enemies up at night. Whatever that is, I want more of it. And I want to invest in it. And I know that's the view that President Trump has as well.

I don't have a special interest in any particular system or any particular company or any particular narrative. I want to know what works. I want to know what defeats our enemies, what keeps us safe, what deters them, what keeps our enemies up at night. Whatever that is, I want more of it. And I want to invest in it. And I know that's the view that President Trump has as well.