At 3:30 am Beijing time on April 24, 2025, the U.S. Department of Defense website released a message titled "Hagel Reviews the Pentagon's Achievements in the First 100 Days at the War College Speech," stating that Defense Secretary Pete Hagel this morning summarized the achievements of the Department of Defense during his first 100 days in office to senior military student leaders at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Hagel emphasized: The U.S. military only focuses on dealing with "communist China," and other matters can be left to allies and partners.

He said, "Under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump, the message for our opponents is undeniable: America is back!" "At every step, we are executing our strategy, which is to increase deterrence against communist China."

Hagel said that overseas, the United States has handed over leadership of the multinational group handling Ukraine's security needs to the UK and Germany, and has received commitments from multiple European countries to increase defense spending, "The era of the United States being the sole guarantor of European security has ended, and it was long overdue."

The defense secretary also talked about the U.S. deterrent power in the Middle East, including support for Israel and the Department of Defense's lethal actions against Houthi terrorists.

Hagel also detailed the strengthened ties with numerous allies and partner nations in the Indo-Pacific region to collectively address China's formidable challenges.

The message stated that these students were officers and equivalent civilian personnel at the senior and frontline command levels who were completing the final phase of the Army War College's 10-month Strategic Leadership Resident Course. After completing the course, graduates will be eligible for important command positions and equivalent executive leadership roles.

Hagel told the students, "From day one - from the very beginning, our top priority has been clear: restoring warrior spirit, rebuilding our military strength, and re-establishing deterrence."

He said that we are restoring the warrior spirit by refocusing the Department of Defense on lethality, meritocracy, accountability, and standards and readiness.

"To be lethal, you must trust that the warriors fighting alongside you or in the units you will lead have the physical capability to complete necessary actions under fire," Hagel said, adding that such standards particularly apply to leaders.

He discussed additional topics related to restoring the warrior spirit, including welcoming active-duty military personnel who were forced to leave their posts during the COVID-19 pandemic back into uniform, reshaping the civilian workforce of the Department of Defense, and the recent increase in recruitment numbers, "Young Americans are showing particularly high enthusiasm," Hagel said.

Then he talked about the Department of Defense's priorities for rebuilding the military.

"Our goal is to provide our combatants with the best systems and ensure that as leaders, you have access to the systems and support needed for maximum lethality," Hagel said.

As two examples of such systems, he mentioned the "Golden Dome Missile Defense System" required to be developed by the Department of Defense and the Air Force's F-47 Next Generation Air Dominance fighter platform. "These plans together mean that we will be able to strike enemies anywhere and anytime, while protecting our citizens from the worst attacks they might launch against us," he said.

In addition to developing new weapon systems, Hagel stated that the Department of Defense is rebuilding the military by reviewing all 72 major defense procurement programs, strengthening the defense industrial base, and combating fraud, waste, and abuse through cooperation with the Office of Government Efficiency. "We are prioritizing effective work and cutting ineffective work," he said.

"When your opponents know that your army is full of combat readiness, your logistics capabilities are strong, and your combatants possess the most advanced weapons systems in the world, they are less likely to challenge you on the battlefield," he continued.

Regarding the third goal, re-establishing deterrence, Hagel stated that the Department of Defense is achieving this both domestically and internationally.

Hagel concluded his speech by pointing out that America and its national security have entered a new golden age, and the graduating students each represent the future of the military, "You will set the standard," "We rely on you, and I know you will excel at every step."

(Author: Xiao Zhifu, Special Researcher of the Kunlun Strategy Institute; Source: Kunlun Strategy Network [Author Authorization], Adapted from "A Pot of Tea and an Idle Person")

Original Article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7497098549558051369/

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