They want to keep things the same and don’t like that she’s coming in and challenging how things are done, said a Navy special operations person.
CNN, which didn’t name the female Navy captain in their report, said she was “ranked the top officer for promotion in her group” and had been awarded a Purple Heart after being hurt by an IED during a combat mission in Iraq.
She met all the physical requirements and had a great record.
She then became the first woman to serve with SEAL Team Six as a troop commander, and everything was ready for her to take on her new position.
A formal ceremony was even planned for July, and invitations were sent out.
But two weeks before the ceremony, her promotion was taken back with “little explanation,” according to CNN’s sources.
Oddly, the decision didn’t go through the usual channels but was instead made through a “series of phone calls from the Pentagon” that were “unusual” and “seemed made to hide a paper trail.”
Because her promotion was denied, the Navy’s “up or out” policy kicked in, which means officers must leave the military if there’s no command position for them.
The captain’s 20-year career of service to her country came to a sudden end.
“She was the best person for the job.
There’s absolutely no DEI [diversity, equity, inclusion] involved,” said a retired SEAL. “She’s tough, and also really smart and capable.”
A “consensus” quickly formed in Navy Special Warfare that the decision was made because Hegseth didn’t want a woman in the position, which is in charge of recruiting for elite units like the SEALs.
“They could say she’s not qualified because she’s not a SEAL, but the SEALs thought she was,” one retired SEAL said.
“I’m sure they’d repeal the whole women in combat rule if they could, but this is the best they can do,” they added.
CNN also talked to over a dozen active-duty women in the military, and they all shared a “deep and growing worry” that Hegseth’s openly sexist views could lead to the U.S. military losing lots of experienced and skilled soldiers, and also discourage future enlistments.
Several knew of other female military members who were denied promotions for similar reasons.
Many of the women expressed concern that the process for reporting sexual assault anonymously could be harmed — which isn’t surprising, given that the commander-in-chief is a convicted rapist and Hegseth has been accused of sexual assault.
Republicans like to say they support the troops, but once in power, they betray them by pushing their bigoted, backward agenda.
Our military was better off and ran more smoothly under Democratic leadership. It’s up to all of us to make sure that happens again.
About the Author
