On Friday, October 6, 2023, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed U.S. support for allies in the Indo-Pacific region during a town hall meeting with Defense Department personnel. Hegseth emphasized the importance of demonstrating to China that the United States remains committed to its partners while clarifying that the U.S. does not wish to create unnecessary conflict with Beijing.
In his remarks, Hegseth described the U.S. stance toward the People’s Republic of China as clear-eyed. He mentioned that while the U.S. recognizes the challenges posed by China, the goal is to avoid initiating conflict. He stated, “We’re going to stand strong with our partners,” and acknowledged that both the U.S. and China do not desire conflict. He underscored the importance of maintaining strength to be in a favorable position in the Indo-Pacific.
During the town hall, transmitted via a livestream that ended abruptly after Hegseth’s opening remarks, he responded to a question from an Air Force official regarding the Defense Department’s assertiveness in the “gray zone” of conflict—actions that are aggressive but stop short of full-scale war. Hegseth asserted the need to send signals to China that the Indo-Pacific would remain contested.
Regarding potential staff cuts within the Defense Department, Hegseth noted an excess of positions over the past 20 years that do not necessarily contribute to battlefield success. He pointed out the presence of additional layers of bureaucracy and stated that reviewing these positions is essential, especially in a budget-constrained environment.
Hegseth highlighted issues facing military units like the armored cavalry at Fort Bliss, which have had to limit training due to budget restrictions. He deemed this situation—resulting from continued resolutions and operational contingencies—as “completely unacceptable.”
Hegseth outlined goals to eliminate inefficiencies within the Pentagon, including potentially reducing the number of four-star generals and flag officers, as he referenced past military successes with far fewer leaders. He also discussed acquisition processes, expressing that the military should focus on developing both smaller, quickly deployable capabilities and larger-scale deterrents, citing the success of low-cost drones utilized in Ukraine.
He emphasized the importance of rapid testing and deployment of new systems, as well as addressing challenges faced by military families, such as frequent relocations, which he labeled vital to readiness and morale. Hegseth concluded that prioritizing family support is essential and should take precedence over funding additional large military programs.
Stephen Losey, the air warfare reporter for Defense News, covered this town hall and has a background in military operations and personnel issues.
