'Detrimental': Military officer says Trump's Pentagon harming 'unit readiness'

02 September

Image: Office of the President of the United States / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has yet to sign off on this year’s Army Reserve promotions to lieutenant colonel, leaving the process weeks behind schedule.

Politico reported Tuesday that the promotion board responsible for selecting officers concluded its work in early February. From that date, a six‑month clock began ticking for the secretary to either approve the list or authorize a delay. Yet, as of today, no list has been signed, per the report.

Similar promotions last year were approved by May 2024 under former President Joe Biden's administration.

An official at Army Human Resources Command told Politico that the delay appears to stem from changes in staffing, noting that “there are new people working for Hegseth.”

The hold-up is more than procedural, as one officer awaiting promotion anonymously told the outlet that the delay “has been detrimental to unit readiness and effectiveness.”

Traditionally, similar lists have been released by May; now, approval remains pending weeks after that point.

Earlier this year, reports indicated that senior military and defense officials have grown increasingly alarmed by what one described as “total chaos at the Pentagon,” marked by mass firings, internal disarray, and erratic decision-making.

Former aide John Ullyot lamented a “month of total chaos at the Pentagon” following widespread leaks and firings of key advisers.

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