(First posted on American Military News; this is letter is not a MacArthur Society initiative)

As graduates of the United States Military Academy at West Point, we are guided by the timeless principles of Duty, Honor, and Country.

These values have shaped our lives and our service to the nation, and they drive us to endorse Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense. President Trump has earned the right to assemble the team he sees fit to accomplish the mission.

America is in the midst of a historical era of global competition. A Chinese-led coalition is working relentlessly to dismantle the pro-democratic worldview, threatening the foundations of global freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.

Our adversaries are advancing rapidly, engaging in warfare in various theaters, from economic to maritime, modernizing their forces and eroding American influence abroad.

Hegseth recognizes the urgency of this threat and the need for America to respond with strength and clarity.

The Department of Defense must focus on ensuring that our military remains the dominant global power, maintaining peace through strength, not bureaucratic paralysis and social experimentation.

Reforming the Pentagon’s bureaucracy is a top priority for President Trump and Pete Hegseth, and rightly so.

The Department of Defense must become leaner, more agile, and relentlessly efficient. Every dollar and every decision must directly contribute to readiness, capability, and lethality.

Hegseth’s vision of reform will enable our military to outpace the threats of today and tomorrow by fostering innovation, cutting waste, and prioritizing effectiveness over a slowing inertia based on previous generations’ success.

Most importantly, Pete Hegseth understands that the military’s singular focus must always be warfighting excellence.

In recent years, social agendas have diverted attention and resources from the core mission of the armed forces.

Hegseth will bring the Department of Defense back to basics, ensuring that every service member is prepared to fight and win on the battlefield. By putting readiness and combat effectiveness first, he will restore the military’s focus on what truly matters.

Pete Hegseth embodies the ideals of Duty, Honor, and Country. His leadership, proven in combat and on the national stage, will strengthen America’s military and safeguard our future.

We proudly endorse his nomination for Secretary of Defense.

Chris Ager
Class of 1981
Former NH Association of US Army President, Attack Helicopter pilot & Adjutant for Reserve 94th Regional Support Command

Jim Alty
Class of 1981

William Atkinson
Class of 1981
U.S. Army, Retired, former OSD Senior Executive

Barry Bazemore
Class of 1981

Mark Burger
Class of 1981
Managing Partner, American Power & Communications

Craig Colter
Class of 1960
Col USAF Retired, 26 yr. fighter pilot and leader of fighter pilots, test pilot, two combat tours flying fighters in North and South Vietnam

James L. Creighton
Class of 1982
State Representative, New Hampshire House of Representatives
Chairman, House Labor Committee
Colonel, US Army Retired
Council on Foreign Relations Member

Trent Crosby
Class of 1960
COL, US Army Retired

Bryan Dohrn
Class of 1981
U.S. Army, Retired  Marine Corps, Navy, Army DOD Civilian, Retired

Chris Fry
Class of 1981
U.S. Army, Retired  Aviation Officer, Military Intelligence secondary, Acquisition Corps certified professional

Jon Hallingstad
Class of 1981
DoD World Class Athlete Program, All Army Track and Field Team, USMA Men & Women’s Track and Cross Country Coach

Neil Hamill
Class of 1981
U.S. Army, Retired

Thomas Patrick Hueman
Class of 1962
U.S. Army Colonel, Retired

Kirk Lawrence
Class of 1981

Jim O’Connell
Class of 1960
COL, Infantry (Ret) Founder and President of O’Connell and Associates, a successful small consulting and training support  business.

Thomas G. McInerney
Class of 1959
LTG USAF (Ret); Asst Vice Chief of Staff HQ USAF; Director, DOD Defense Performance Review; Chmn, YOTTASTOR LLC.

Alisande Osuch
Class of 1981
U.S. Army, Retired  Somalia, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar

Ross Pixler
Class of 1965
Maj, Infantry; Unit Commander; Former USMA Tactical Officer.

William F. Prince
Class of 1970
COL U.S. Army, Retired   U.S. Army Ranger and Special Forces

Frederick C. Rice
Class of 1960
NH State Representative; West Point Board of Trustees and Advisory Council; Airborne, Ranger, Special Forces Officer (Awarded Combat Infantryman Badge); Artillery Battalion Commander; commanded five different units in five Army Divisions.

Lou Schroeder
Class of 1959

Richard Sellner
Class of 1981
COL US Army, Retired, BN CDR 1/304 IN, Iraq 2004-2005

Jerry Sorrow
Class of 1968
Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army, Wisconsin; Company President; Divisional Chief Executive.

Dirk Stevens
Class of 1981

LaVoy M. Thiessen
Class of 1973
COL, US Army Retired

Bob Totten
Class of 1960
COL, U.S. Army Retired

William S. Tozer
Class of 1960

Michael J Tucci
Class of 1981
Senior Vice President, Citigroup, Credit Operations;
US Army Aviation Officer, Korea and 82nd Airborne Division Air Cav

Paul E. Vallely
Class of 1961
Chairman of The Stand Up America Foundation, MG, US Army (Ret)

Steve Waldrop
Class of 1960
Writer and producer of historical documentaries for families, museums, and veteran tributes.

First posted on American Military News