Pete Hegseth, the freshly sworn-in Defense Secretary, wasted no time sharing his plans for the Pentagon. Shortly after taking the oath of office from Vice President JD Vance on Saturday, Hegseth addressed the Defense Department’s three million employees, vowing to “put America first” and ensure the nation’s military remains strong.

Hegseth highlighted three key priorities for his leadership. First, he aims to “revive the warrior ethos” and rebuild trust within the military. While some experts argue the armed forces are already fully focused on their mission, Hegseth believes this step is crucial.

Second, he stressed the need to boost the country’s defense industry and simplify the often slow process of acquiring new weapons. This push comes as the U.S. defense sector has been working overtime following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine nearly three years ago.

Lastly, Hegseth emphasized the importance of strengthening deterrence by defending the homeland and collaborating with allies in the Indo-Pacific to counter China’s growing military influence. He also aligned with President Trump’s goal to “end wars responsibly,” likely referencing ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

“We’ll focus on lethality, meritocracy, and readiness,” Hegseth declared, setting the tone for his leadership. With these priorities, the new Defense Secretary is signaling a bold direction for the Pentagon’s future.