Pete Hegseth, President-elect Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense, has been lauded for his "outstanding" leadership and combat experience in recently obtained military evaluations. These assessments, reviewed by Fox News Digital, offer insights into Hegseth's military career as he prepares for his Senate confirmation hearing.
Hegseth's service record includes deployments to Guantánamo Bay, Iraq, and Afghanistan. While leading a 39-man Air Assault Infantry Rifle platoon in Guantánamo Bay, he was commended for his ability to deploy his unit anywhere globally within 36 hours. An evaluation from his time in Iraq (April 2005-January 2006) highlighted his exceptional leadership during five months of combat, including air assault raids and base defense. Evaluators praised his ability to keep his platoon physically and mentally prepared for extended missions in challenging environments.
Pete Hegseth in uniform. (Fox News)
At FOB Falcon, Iraq, Hegseth's platoon secured the base's defenses and conducted offensive operations, disrupting insurgent activities and capturing an Al Qaeda cell leader. Evaluators noted his proficiency in coordinating air support, indirect fire, and other combat assets. Subsequently, as an assistant civil military operations officer for a 660-man Air Assault Infantry Battalion, Hegseth was described as an "absolutely outstanding officer" who fostered trust with local leaders in Samarra, contributing to the capture or elimination of numerous insurgent leaders.
Pete Hegseth speaking to reporters after meeting with U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-IA, in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on Dec. 9, 2024. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images, File)
A 2012 evaluation from his Afghanistan deployment with the Minnesota Army National Guard ranked him as the top captain in his command, praising his leadership, initiative, and dedication. He was also recognized for his bravery during an October 2011 attack, leading a quick reaction force to recover casualties. His work developing counterinsurgency training courses and rewriting the guidebook for the Counterinsurgency Training Center-Afghanistan, often during his personal time, earned him further accolades.
Pete Hegseth giving a thumbs-up alongside wife Jennifer Hegseth, left, to meet with Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
Despite these commendations, Hegseth's confirmation hearing is expected to be contentious. He faces scrutiny over past controversies, including allegations of financial mismanagement and a sexual assault accusation from 2017, for which he reportedly paid a settlement. However, several Republican lawmakers have publicly voiced their support, emphasizing his military experience and leadership qualities.
