Trump’s defense choice stuns the Pentagon and raises questions about the Fox News host’s experience

[Chesterton]

The basic thumb rule is: Is this an act that you could be prosecuted for if you carried it out on your own initiative?

Yeah but not every soldier is a lawyer. They may not be sure if it's prosecutable or not.

 

[RDKirk]

Yeah but not every soldier is a lawyer. They may not be sure if it's prosecutable or not.

With regard to war crimes, we get specific training on the Law of Armed Conflict (the military interpretation of the Geneva Conventions) every year, with specialized sections tailored to whatever our military occupation is.

This all derived directly from the William Calley incident in Vietnam to give more clarity of this issue to every soldier on the battlefield, and to make it clear that every soldier would be held accountable for his actions.

For instance, I got a lot of specialized training in how to do nuclear targeting within the boundaries of the Geneva Conventions...yes, even that.

 

[Chesterton]

As for me, given that we're getting an R cabinet, Rubio is acceptable.

But am I "the left"? In this place I am, I'd say.

Not knowing whether you're "the left" is a great indicator that you're the left.

 

[Hammster]

There are more than 1.29 million active-duty troops and 760,000 in the National Guard and reserves and close to 1,000,000 civilian employees—located all over the world—that make up the Department of Defense. The Department of Defense inventory is worth approximately $124.5 billion and has an annual budget of over $800 billion. The Department of Defense manages more than 4,790 military sites worldwide, including over 568,000 facilities and nearly 27 million acres of land. Many of these facilities are, in reality, municipalities with all of the housing, the utilities systems, maintenance and transportation requirements, policing needs, and schools and hospitals typical of a small city. The Department of Defense operates airlines, shipping lines, communication systems, supply distribution systems, and maintenance establishments in support of these facilities and their operations.

In your opinion, what qualifications should a person in charge of such a large organization have?

The only qualification is that the president wants them in that job.

 

[Always in His Presence]

If you were Commander in Chief, what qualifications would you require of the Secretary of Defense?

I am not Commander in Chief and do not have the knowledge to intelligently offer an informed opinion - and I suspect - neither do you.

I already stated my opinion - it has not changed.

 

[Chesterton]

With regard to war crimes, we get specific training on the Law of Armed Conflict (the military interpretation of the Geneva Conventions) every year, with specialized sections tailored to whatever our military occupation is.

This all derived directly from the William Calley incident in Vietnam to give more clarity of this issue to every soldier on the battlefield, and to make it clear that every soldier would be held accountable for his actions.

For instance, I got a lot of specialized training in how to do nuclear targeting within the boundaries of the Geneva Conventions...yes, even that.

Well that makes sense, and it's good to know. Nonetheless, unique situations can arise, and as you say, I imagine it can be tricky.

 

[RocksInMyHead]

That shouldn't be a problem if Cooper has Hesgeth's military background.

What is it about having military experience that makes you think that someone would be well-suited to being Secretary of Defense, to the exclusion of all other qualifications?

The left seems to be ignoring that aspect and can't see any deeper than what he's doing currently. Or they refuse to because they only want to complain about him being a news personality.

Or, we don't think his military background is particularly important. If you look at past SecDefs, their military experience is generally not much dwelled-upon, and only 2 of the 24 have been generals. What sets them apart is their managerial and/or policy experience.

 

[RocksInMyHead]

The only qualification is that the president wants them in that job.

And, importantly, that the Senate agrees that they're suited for the position.

 

[Servus]

What is it about having military experience that makes you think that someone would be well-suited to being Secretary of Defense, to the exclusion of all other qualifications?

Or, they don't think his military background is particularly important. If you look at past SecDefs, their military experience is generally not much dwelled-upon, and only 2 of the 24 have been generals. What sets them apart is their managerial and/or policy experience.

Well if that's who Trump goes through with appointing, then he'll be the new Secretary of Defense. Que sera, sera.

 

[Servus]

And, importantly, that the Senate agrees that they're suited for the position.

The senate majority?

 

[JosephZ]

I am not Commander in Chief and do not have the knowledge to intelligently offer an informed opinion - and I suspect - neither do you.

I would think that most people are knowledgeble and intellegent enough to form their own opinions on what qualifications a Secretary of Defense should have.

 

[RocksInMyHead]

Well if that's who Trump goes through with appointing, then he'll be the new Secretary of Defense. Que sera, sera.

Assuming that the Senate confirms him, sure.

The senate majority?

Yes. Why would you assume that they're simply going to be a rubber-stamp for Trump's agenda (or think that that's a good thing)? There's already been some indication that Gaetz might not pass confirmation, should he be nominated, for example.

 

[Yttrium]

Apparently, Hegseth isn't wild about women serving in combat roles.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/14/us/military-women-pete-hegseth-defense-secretary/index.html

I'm sure a lot of Trump's fans will like that attitude.

 

[Always in His Presence]

I would think that most people are knowledgeble and intellegent enough to form their own opinions on what qualifications a Secretary of Defense should have.

Have at it - but be careful - the spelling and grammar police are out and about -

 

[Always in His Presence]

Apparently, Hegseth isn't wild about women serving in combat roles.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/14/us/military-women-pete-hegseth-defense-secretary/index.html

I'm sure a lot of Trump's fans will like that attitude.

from your link -

Hegseth, who has a long record serving in the military in Afghanistan and Iraq, has not announced any plans to reinstate the ban if he’s confirmed,​

​

Save the pearls to clutch another day.

 

[durangodawood]

Not knowing whether you're "the left" is a great indicator that you're the left.

OK well then that guy is wrong that "the left" automatically rejects any Trump cab nominee just because Trump.

 

[Yttrium]

from your link -

Hegseth, who has a long record serving in the military in Afghanistan and Iraq, has not announced any plans to reinstate the ban if he’s confirmed,​

​

Save the pearls to clutch another day.

Pearls? I'm rooting for him to become the next SecDef. Should be fun.

 

[Chesterton]

OK well then that guy is wrong that "the left" automatically rejects any Trump cab nominee just because Trump.

I don't know who said that. I have a more lengthy response but I don't want to derail the thread.

 

[durangodawood]

Qualifications arent everything tho.

Remember Rumsfeld? Supremely qualified. But what a disaster.

 

[BPPLEE]

That's completely irrelevant. All that matters is he's a Trump appointee, and therefore must be seen in a purely negative light.

How dare Trump pick people who won't try to undermine him