BREAKING – the Brotherhood Strikes Again
So: Pete Hegseth—yes, the defender of “traditional military order,” the swaggering front-man for “we’ve got to stop the woke bullshit”—has, according to multiple sources, pulled the plug on a promotion for a decorated female Navy officer who was poised to make history. She was ranked top in her cohort, got a Purple Heart after being wounded by an IED in Iraq, met every physical standard, served with SEAL Team Six as the first woman troop commander, and had an official ceremony planned for July to take over a senior command slot.
Then — whistle-lowers say — two weeks before the event: cancelled. No formal notice. No usual chain of command. Just a series of tone-down “phone calls from the Pentagon” that “seemed designed to omit a paper-trail.” Because nothing says ‘integrity’ like hiding the dagger. The result? Under the “up or out” rules of the Navy, her career ends. Two decades. Gone. Because someone somewhere decided she challenged the status quo.
Let’s recap the outrage (with appropriate sarcasm):
- She’s got the credentials. Top in cohort. Purple Heart. First woman in SEAL Team Six as a troop commander. Check.
- She meets every standard. Check.
- She’s ready to take the slot. Ceremony planned. Check.
- Then: poof — revoked. No explanation. The “we want the brotherhood” whisper loud in the backroom. “They don’t like she’s coming in and challenging the status quo,” as one Navy special operations source put it.
- And the guy whose job includes supporting and strengthening the armed forces steps in and says: “Not today, sistah.” Because patriarchy, apparently, doesn’t break for Purple Hearts.
- Meanwhile, Republicans continue their annual ritual of “We Love Our Troops!” banner waving—whilst undervaluing, under-promoting, and ejecting them quietly.
What’s the damage?
- They lose an exceptional leader. An actual hero. The kind of person you’d want directing elite ops.
- They send a message: yes, you can serve. Yes, you can be wounded. Yes, you can shatter ceilings. But only if the optics don’t mess with our comfort zone.
- They discourage other women in the ranks. “Deep and growing alarm” is how active-duty women describe the fallout.
- They weaken the military they claim to love—by refusing to promote its best. Because culture. Because inertia. Because “brotherhood.” Because ego.
And yes—some folks might say “but she wasn’t a SEAL” or “maybe there were other factors.” Well: the SEALs themselves (yes—those tough guys) told CNN they thought she was qualified anyway. So let’s not pretend competence was the hurdle. Let’s call it what it frankly looks like: misogyny masquerading in camo.
Reality check time:
If your defence secretary—or your commander-in-chief—says they “support the troops” while derailing the careers of decorated women leaders, you’re not supporting all the troops. You’re supporting the tribe you’re comfortable with. And that is not strength. That is weakness dressed in fatigues.
What to do about it:
- Demand transparency. Ask for those missing paper-trails. Ask why a top-ranked officer losing her promotion wasn’t explained openly.
- Support the women in uniform who still believe merit counts—until the door slams.
- Hold accountable the politicians who claim “support” but legislate or administer dismissals.
- Share this story. Because if you don’t share these outrage moments, you let them become “the normal.” And “the normal” is rotten when it treats our heroes as cadastral triangles in someone’s power map.
Final word:
To Pete Hegseth and his allies: thanks for the show of loyalty to the troops. Brava. Standing ovation. But maybe next time pick the right troops. Most of us signed up to fight for freedom, not for someone else’s fragile ego or biased “brotherhood.” The flag you protect shouldn’t hide the dagger you hold.
If you found this piss-offing, share it. Let’s keep the spotlight burning hot on this kind of betrayal—so the term “defence” means actual defence, not defence of the old boys’ club.
Until next time, friends—and remember: we grow better when we bloom late, loudly, and disruptively.
Julie Bolejack, MBA
juliebolejack.com
mindfulactivist.etsy.com
