There's a military expression about a bad habit in the ranks: It's called "fighting the problem." This occurs when an officer or NCO is too busy kicking dirt and threatening punishment than fixing what's broken.

Example: The sergeant in charge doesn't bring the MREs to the shooting range, and the troops don't have anything to eat. An officer who fights the problem will lock up the sergeant in a hot tent for 30 minutes, chewing out the E-5 for not following orders. Meanwhile the troops are still unfed. Better if the lieutenant spends that half-hour fixing the problem, and finding another source for lunch.

We were reminded of that during that cringe-worthy speech in which the new-ish secretary of Defense, or secretary of War, or whatever he calls himself this week, tried to lecture all those three- and four-star generals that he'd summoned to Virginia. Pete Hegseth--who's in charge of the Pentagon despite not having the military experience to lead a brigade--might should have been told before the speech: The generals and admirals here aren't a campaign crowd; they don't have to laugh on cue or react to applause lines. Awkward silences won't help you establish Alpha Dog cred, Mr. Secretary.

You can watch the speeches of the SecDef--and the president--here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhGeNPJlIK4

The Patton-esque background and strutting around might have worked on less experienced and less qualified audiences. The men and women before Secretary Hegseth on Tuesday don't need rah-rah speeches, or insults to their physical fitness, or threats........

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