# Pete Hegseth military reform and family support initiatives > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/pete-hegseth-military-reform-tour > Updated: 2026-10-01T17:53:11.000Z. Sources: 19. Developments: 4. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth launched his ‘Send Me Tour’ with a visit to Texas A&M University in College Station. The initiative aims to engage with veterans, ROTC cadets, and military personnel. During his appearance at a football game, Hegseth addressed the Corps of Cadets, using religious references from the Book of Isaiah to emphasize a spirit of service. He argued that the willingness of citizens to serve is essential to the survival of the republic, stating, ‘Send me to fight Redcoats. Send me to fight communists. Send me to fight Islamists.’ Hegseth’s Texas itinerary included visiting the Veterans Resource Center and Saronic Technologies Inc., a producer of autonomous warships. He was accompanied by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Texas Governor Greg Abbott. Expanding his focus on military personnel and their families, Hegseth also addressed the President’s Military Spouse Commission following an executive order from President Donald Trump. The commission is tasked with advising the president on policies regarding employment, housing, healthcare, childcare, and education. Hegseth noted that the military’s healthcare reimbursement rate requires improvement. Commission chair Jennifer Hegseth emphasized the need to overcome ‘bureaucratic red tape’ to implement solutions. Members specifically highlighted the high unemployment rate among military spouses, which data from Blue Star Families places at approximately 22%. In a subsequent State of the Force address at Quantico, Hegseth reinforced his commitment to a ‘warrior culture,’ explicitly rejecting what he characterized as a ‘woke’ or ‘weak’ military. He stated, ‘We are no longer the woke department or the weak department. Simple translation of that... no fanny, no fatties, no trannies, no beardos, no weirdos, no wimps, no radicals, just warriors, just tough, ready, committed troops.’ ## Claims - Hegseth declared the military is no longer the ‘woke’ or ‘weak’ department, using slurs to describe those he believes do not belong. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Hegseth announced the creation of an Office of Religious Affairs at the Pentagon that will report directly to him. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Hegseth has already dismissed 10% of senior military officers and intends to dismiss an additional 10%. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Hegseth stated that the conflict with Iran is a success that every American should be proud of. (single source) - Hegseth intends for his State of the Force address at Quantico to become an annual tradition. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-01: Pete Hegseth announces religious office and military reforms at Quantico Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a ‘State of the Force’ address at Quantico, announcing a new Office of Religious Affairs and vowing to purge ‘woke’ elements from the military. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pete-hegseth-promotes-warrior-culture-in-military-address ### 2026-09-21: Pete Hegseth launches President’s Military Spouse Commission Secretary of War Pete Hegseth launched the President’s Military Spouse Commission, pledging to address key issues like spousal unemployment, healthcare, and housing for military families. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pete-hegseth-launches-presidents-military-spouse-commission ### 2026-09-20: Pete Hegseth launches ‘Send Me Tour’ at Texas A&M Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth launched his ‘Send Me Tour’ at Texas A&M, calling on service members to be ready to face various historical and future threats, including communists and Islamists. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pete-hegseth-launches-send-me-tour-at-texas-am ### 2026-09-17: Pete Hegseth advocates for military meritocracy at Texas A&M Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth visited Texas A&M University to advocate for military meritocracy and a ‘warrior ethos’ during a trip that included addressing the Corps of Cadets. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pete-hegseth-advocates-for-military-meritocracy-at-texas-am --- Cite as: Pete Hegseth military reform and family support initiatives. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/pete-hegseth-military-reform-tour