In this essay for The Free Press, Elliot Ackerman examines Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s call for a renewed “warrior culture” inside the U.S. military.
Drawing on his experience as a Marine infantry and special operations officer in Iraq and Afghanistan, Ackerman argues that true warrior culture depends less on political rhetoric and more on competence, humility, accountability, and strategic seriousness.
What Warrior Culture Requires
Ackerman questions Hegseth’s focus on height, weight, grooming standards, and “woke” politics at a time when the military faces major strategic challenges, including China, Ukraine, Gaza, and broader instability.
Lessons from the Marine Corps
The essay contrasts symbolic displays of authority with the leadership lessons Ackerman learned as a young Marine officer. Real leadership, he argues, means going to those you lead, serving them, and taking responsibility for the consequences of command.
Competence, Humility, and Accountability
For Ackerman, the problem is not that the military lacks lethality. The failures of Iraq and Afghanistan were failures of strategy and senior leadership. A serious warrior culture must begin with leaders who hold themselves accountable before the enemy does it for them.