FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington, DC, September 2, 2026 National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A) is deeply concerned by the resignation of Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll. It, combined with unexplained firings of senior leadership, mysteriously withheld promotions, and persistent Pentagon turmoil rob America’s military of its readiness and expertise, putting American national security at risk.
NSL4A is particularly worried that Secretary Driscoll reportedly felt compelled to resign because he thought Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s decisions to block promotions for qualified officers was reckless, undercutting efforts to transform the Army and its readiness to perform critical missions in the U.S. national interest.
Our military’s ability to fight and win wars is of utmost national security importance. Accordingly, we call on Congress to exercise rigorous oversight of senior military personnel decisions, demand explanations when proven leaders are removed prematurely, and examine the cumulative impact these departures are having on our military.
Secretary Hegseth’s persistent mismanagement and poor decision making have, as NSL4A has warned for months, hollowed out America’s military. We expressed similar concerns when Secretary Hegseth overrode established military processes for promoting qualified officers for purely ideological reasons; when he forced the departure of Gen. Christopher Donahue; and when he removed highly-respected Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George.
The result is an Army less prepared to fight and a uniformed leadership that believes senior leadership will punish honesty and ignore their warnings and best recommendations.
“Civilian control of the military is fundamental to our Constitution, but effective civilian control depends upon civilian leaders receiving candid, independent military advice from experienced professionals,” said retired Navy Rear Admiral Michael Smith, Founder and President of NSL4A. “If commanders come to believe that disagreeing with senior political leadership—even on legitimate matters of readiness, operations, or military judgment—could end their careers, we will not produce better military advice. We will produce less of it. That makes America weaker. When America is at war,” Smith continued, “such a dynamic can be catastrophic.”
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On June 10, 2026, then Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll spoke during the Army’s 251st birthday ceremony at the Pentagon. (Photo: DVIDS)
About National Security Leaders for America
National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A) is a nonpartisan network of over 1,500 senior national security professionals—retired admirals, generals, senior enlisted leaders, intelligence officers, diplomats, and civilian service officials—from across the political spectrum who are united in defense of American democracy. Founded in 2021, NSL4A is a 501(c)(4) organization that advocates for democratic values, institutions, and leaders who uphold the Constitution and the rule of law. Our members offer expert, real-world insights on the national security implications of election integrity, civil-military relations, and democratic resilience.
Media Contact: CommDirector@nsl4a.org
Hegseth is destroying the culture (the heart and soul) of the military. He is shifting from an emphasis on principle and law to an emphasis on self interest and loyalty. he has reframed the warrior ethos from Mission success, devotion to comrades, and perseverance, to ruthless, passionate lethality. he has suppressed any form of dissent that contradicts his egocentric perspectives, to include sound legal advice, force management, acquisition practices, and strategic planning. Self interest and loyalty have replaced merit based performance evaluations. He has corrupted the civil military relationship and the apolitical nature of the military. His behavior is inconsistent with the core values of all military departments. He has sabotaged transparency and accountability to the public, failed to provide adequate resources, and failed to provide physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual support to the members of the military. As a result, readiness and operational effectiveness is degraded. He is the complete and total antithesis of what a secretary of defense should be and should do.
As you all know better than I do, the catastrophic dynamic you describe in this piece is already well underway, doing serious if not irreparable damage to our national security. It's growing more real and present, and therefore more serious, every day.