Reviving the Warrior Spirit in the Military

On Tuesday, War Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered an inspiring address to the nation’s top commanders, emphasizing the need to revitalize the essence of the warrior spirit within the military. His message resonated, but it raises a significant question: if the US wants true warriors, shouldn’t the focus begin with the education system and culminate with the National Guard?

The Decline of Military Education

Since 1992, I have been involved in teaching at institutions like the National Defense University and the National Intelligence University. Over these three decades, we’ve witnessed a gradual deterioration in military education, particularly in understanding American military history.

Since 2021, things have worsened, especially after NIU transitioned from the Department of Defense to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence—an ill-conceived move. The aftermath has shown a concerning decline in quality. A pipeline of graduates headed to the war division carried the burden of their politically-driven training.

If your adversary controls a digital battlefield, what good do refined bayonets and perfect push-ups serve?

Until recently, NIU’s Patricia A. Larsen championed a cartoonish approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion. It felt like a strange blend of whimsical design and unrealistic educational ideologies. Rigor was replaced by a therapy-style environment where overly sensitive students thrived, but at what cost?

The outcome? Intelligence officers shaped by this approach seemed distant from the warrior spirit you rightly mentioned. And no amount of physical training or drill practices can change this perception. Historical failures due to poor intelligence—like at Pearl Harbor or the Tet Offensive—serve as warnings. We risk repeating these mistakes.

Civic Soldiers and Information Warfare

If you’re looking for a different type of warrior, you might want to consider civic soldiers—people like General Dan Kane or individuals who understand the modern battlefield.

Civic soldiers carry the essence of warriors into non-kinetic battles, particularly in information warfare. Nations like China invest heavily in cyber warfare, leveraging hackers and propaganda to influence American culture and dominate social media landscapes. These tactics use psychological strategies that don’t require firing a single shot to undermine us.

For our adversaries, polished bayonets and perfect push-ups pale in comparison to controlling digital platforms. Unlike traditional combat, the information battlefield is constantly evolving. By the time the Pentagon recognizes an issue, the enemy has typically already advanced.

This is where the National Guard shines. Civic soldiers navigate this digital realm daily, engaging in coding, marketing, and design. Their practical skills provide insights that active military units often lack.

I witnessed this firsthand when I organized and trained an experimental National Guard unit. In their eyes, mental agility outweighed physical prowess. They carried the weapons of discipline, creativity, and technical expertise—and they proved to be highly effective.

Returning to the Roman Model

The founders of this nation understood the value of civilian soldiers who could utilize their knowledge of local landscapes and seasonal changes to defeat formidable foes. Today’s equivalent may very well be a National Guardsman, equipped with a laptop and smartphone, ready to outsmart adversaries in the digital arena.

We should consider redefining our expectations of soldiers—these civic warriors are just as crucial as martially trained troops, as we navigate through contemporary challenges.

You often cite Roman history. Consider Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus, a farmer who left his fields to lead Rome to victory—but then relinquished power, returning to his home. He was more than just a fighter; he was a genuine victor.

This is the model America needs today. Not merely warriors, but victors who understand when to engage, how to win, and when it’s time to return home. This reflects both the Roman legacy and the American ideal.