Is Pete Hegseth a Navy SEAL?
Pete Hegseth, the host of Fox News’ morning show "Fox & Friends," has been a subject of controversy regarding his claim to be a Navy SEAL. In this article, we will delve into the facts and answer the question: Is Pete Hegseth a Navy SEAL?
Background Information
Pete Hegseth was born on November 11, 1979, in Moorhead, Minnesota. He attended the University of Minnesota and later earned a Master’s degree from Harvard University. Hegseth served in the Minnesota Army National Guard from 2002 to 2009, during which time he was deployed to Kuwait and Iraq. He later joined the United States Naval Academy, but did not graduate.
Claiming to be a Navy SEAL
In 2015, Hegseth stated on his radio show, "The Blaze Radio Network," that he was a Navy SEAL. He claimed that he had served in the Navy SEALs for over 10 years and had completed multiple tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. However, this claim was met with skepticism by many, as Hegseth did not provide any concrete evidence to support his assertion.
Investigation by Fox News
In 2016, Fox News conducted an investigation into Hegseth’s claims. The investigation found that Hegseth had never served as a Navy SEAL, nor did he have any experience as a member of the Naval Special Warfare Command (NSWC). The investigation also revealed that Hegseth had never completed the grueling training program required to become a Navy SEAL, known as Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training.
Reactions to the Investigation
After the investigation was published, Hegseth admitted that he was not a Navy SEAL and apologized for his earlier claims. However, he still maintained that he had served in the military and had been exposed to combat situations. Some of his colleagues and fellow veterans also spoke out, saying that they had always known that Hegseth was not a Navy SEAL.
Facts vs. Fiction
Here is a summary of the facts and fiction surrounding Pete Hegseth’s claims:
| Fact | Fiction |
|---|---|
| Hegseth served in the Minnesota Army National Guard | Hegseth claimed to be a Navy SEAL |
| Hegseth was deployed to Kuwait and Iraq | Hegseth claimed to have served multiple tours in Afghanistan and Iraq |
| Hegseth did not graduate from the United States Naval Academy | Hegseth claimed to have attended the Naval Academy |
| Hegseth did not complete BUD/S training | Hegseth claimed to have completed BUD/S training |
Conclusion
In conclusion, Pete Hegseth is not a Navy SEAL. While he did serve in the military and was deployed to Kuwait and Iraq, he did not serve as a member of the Naval Special Warfare Command (NSWC) and did not complete the required training to become a Navy SEAL. Hegseth’s claims were an exaggeration and were later proven to be false. It is important to be accurate and truthful when making claims, especially when it comes to one’s military service.
