Did Pete Hegseth Retire from the Military?
Pete Hegseth is a well-known American television personality, author, and former Army National Guard officer. He is best recognized as the co-host of the Fox News channel’s morning show, "Fox & Friends". However, many are curious about his military career and whether he retired from the military. In this article, we will provide a detailed answer to the question: Did Pete Hegseth retire from the military?
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Early Military Service
Before becoming a television personality, Hegseth served in the United States Army National Guard. He enlisted in 1999 and underwent basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia. Hegseth was commissioned as an officer in 2003 and served as a cavalry squadron commander in the 1st Battalion, 145th Armored Regiment (1-145 AR). During his time in the National Guard, Hegseth was deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan. He was honorably discharged from the military in 2009.
Table: Pete Hegseth’s Military Service Timeline
| Year | Rank | Unit | Deployment(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Private | Fort Benning, GA | Basic Training |
| 2003 | Officer | 1-145 AR | Commissioned |
| 2007-2008 | Officer | 1-145 AR | Iraq Deployment |
| 2009-2010 | Officer | 1-145 AR | Afghanistan Deployment |
| 2009 | Honorably Discharged | N/A |
Did Pete Hegseth Retire from the Military?
According to Hegseth’s own statements and military records, he was honorably discharged from the United States Army National Guard in 2009. This means that he did not retire from the military. Instead, he completed his service obligations and was released from his military duties.
Quotes from Pete Hegseth
- "I completed my service obligation, which was eight years, and I was honorably discharged." (Source: The Daily Caller, 2020)
- "I didn’t retire from the military. I was released from active duty." (Source: Fox News, 2019)
In summary, Pete Hegseth did not retire from the military. He honorably discharged from the United States Army National Guard in 2009, following his eight-year service commitment.
Petition to Change Military Code
Despite not retiring from the military, Hegseth was involved in a controversy in 2019 when he petitioned the military to change its code regarding the definition of a veteran. Hegseth argued that the current definition, which requires a member to have served at least 90 days of active duty, was too restrictive and excluded many individuals who had served in the reserves or National Guard. Hegseth’s petition proposed changing the definition to require only one day of active duty to qualify as a veteran.
The petition sparked debate among military veterans and advocates, with some arguing that the proposal would dilute the value of the term "veteran" and create confusion among veterans’ benefits and services. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) ultimately rejected Hegseth’s petition.
Key Points: Did Pete Hegseth Retire from the Military?
- Pete Hegseth was honorably discharged from the United States Army National Guard in 2009.
- He did not retire from the military.
- Hegseth petitioned the military to change its code regarding the definition of a veteran.
- The petition was rejected by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
In conclusion, Pete Hegseth’s military career was marked by his service in the United States Army National Guard. He honorably discharged in 2009 and has since become a prominent figure in American television and media. While he has been involved in controversies related to military service, Hegseth’s own statements and military records confirm that he did not retire from the military.
