The country is at a tipping point. Division and threats to democracy are testing us in ways many thought unimaginable. Many people are despondent, depressed and in dissarray. Amid the chaos, Pete Hegseth's call to renew the Warrior Ethos in the military might feel like political theater—yet not as a slogan or partisan tool, but as a guiding principle for all of us willing to fight for a better future. The Warrior Ethos isn't about sides. It's about resilience, unity, and stepping up when it counts. If we're going to save democracy, we need to live it.
QUICK NOTE
On a going forward, I also think that it is important to whenever possible set the example on what is right regarding RESPECT FOR OUR brothers and sisters-in-arms.
So, Secretary Hegseth. I wholly disagree with almost everything that you are and stand for, but you wore the same uniform as I did and served with honor and in that regard we are brothers. I would even toast with you, using a non-alcoholic beer of course, the men and women in uniform who still fight and sacrifice under the same oath. That said, we will see you on the political battlefield and we will win.
WHAT IS THE WARRIOR ETHOS?
The Warrior Ethos boils down to four core tenets:
I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade.
These words aren't just about military service—they're a mindset. They demand accountability, perseverance, and selflessness, even when the odds are against you. In the military, these principles bind teams together and drive them forward. Outside the military, they can guide anyone fighting for something bigger than themselves.
THE WARRIOR ETHOS TRANSCENDS POLITICS
Here's the truth: the Warrior Ethos doesn't belong to any political ideology. It's not about posturing or using buzzwords for partisan gains. It's about grit, service, and putting the mission above everything else. Anyone trying to use it as a tool to divide has already failed to understand it.
The ethos calls for unity and commitment to a higher purpose—and in today's fractured political landscape, that's exactly what we need. It's time to claim it, not as a slogan, but as a way of rallying people to take action for what truly matters. If your in a fight, and we are, you fight to win.
CLAIMING THE WARRIOR ETHOS
Here's how the Warrior Ethos can guide us in the fight to save democracy:
Place the mission first: The mission is clear and everything else—personal ambition, partisan games—takes a backseat.
Never accept defeat: Yes, the challenges are enormous. But defeat only happens when we stop fighting. Every step forward, no matter how small, is a victory. Wars are won by battles, and battles by skirmishes. Success requires vigilance and engagement at every level, but also the use of every tool, fair and unfair, to win.
Never quit: This is a long fight, and setbacks are inevitable. What matters is that we keep pushing, keep organizing, and keep showing up. Countless battles have been won when battlefield circumstances change. We need to be ready to exploit these and the mistakes that can create them.
Never leave a fallen comrade: Stick with your allies, especially those most vulnerable. Solidarity is not optional; it's essential. It is like a ruck or a maul in rugby when the team comes to the aid of their teammate and locks onto their them to push them forward. Support wins games and it will win this.
WHERE ARE THE LEADERS
The Warrior Ethos isn't just for those on the front lines; it's for leaders too. At West Point, we learned about servant leadership—the idea that leadership means putting others and the mission first. True leaders don't demand sacrifice from others without being willing to sacrifice themselves.
The power of perceived sacrifice by leaders—whether real or well-staged—was on full display leading up to the current administration, and the outcomes are self-evident.
So to regain the momentum what will opposition leaders do? What sacrifices will they make to earn that loyalty from the troops? Leadership isn't just about position; it's about inspiring trust, showing integrity, and proving that you're in the fight with everyone else. And in this fight, let's be clear: the laws apply, but norms don't. The urgency of the mission demands focus on what's lawful and effective—not adherence to outdated expectations of "how things should look."
One thing I told my daughter when she started at the Coast Guard Academy: "Someone is always watching. Your actions define the culture." The same goes for anyone in leadership. What kind of culture are you building? If you're serious about saving democracy, then lead by example and show people what's possible. True leaders don't demand sacrifice from others without being willing to sacrifice themselves.
So let's ask the hard questions: What are today's leaders willing to sacrifice? Are they ready to let go of privileges like legal insider trading or elite benefits that the rest of us don't have? Are they prepared to lead with integrity and inspire trust? Leadership is about actions, not words. Anyone not willing to walk the walk, step aside. We need warrior leaders in the trenches.
THE FIGHT IS NOW
There was once a scrappy set of colonies that fought for their freedoms, standing against tyranny to establish a democracy for the people, by the people. Now it's our turn to carry forward that warrior mantle and defend what they created. This is a fight for the soul of democracy, and half-measures won't cut it. Let's be clear: this is a call to action, not a call to violence. The path forward demands courage, unity, and determination, but it must remain grounded in law, principles, and the very democracy we seek to protect. It's about showing up, doing the hard work of democracy, and refusing to quit, no matter how hard it gets.
The battle for democracy is far from over, but with grit, unity, and determination, we can win it. Let's rise to the occasion, live the ethos, and show the world what true leadership looks like. Let’s gird our loins, lock shields and fight. The future depends on it.
This will not make me rich but helps me keep up the fight. It also lets you show your support for retaking America with a movement of sanity and practicality.
