Pete Hegseth is everywhere right now. If you've looked at the news lately, you know he’s not just "that guy from Fox News" anymore; he’s the Secretary of Defense (or Secretary of War, depending on which office sign you're looking at in 2026). But long before the suits and the televised debates, there was the Pete Hegseth National Guard era. It’s a period of his life that defines his current "War on Warriors" brand, yet it’s also the source of the most intense friction between him and the very institution he now leads.
Most people know he served. They know he has the Bronze Stars. But the story of how he went from a Princeton grad in a National Guard uniform to being flagged as an "insider threat" by his own peers is... well, it's complicated. Honestly, it’s a bit of a rollercoaster.
The Early Years: From Princeton to the Guard
Hegseth didn't take the "traditional" path to the military for someone with his background. He was a basketball player at Princeton, graduating in 2003. Instead of heading straight to Wall Street—though he did a very brief stint as an analyst at Bear Stearns—he was commissioned as an infantry officer.
He joined the Minnesota Army National Guard right as the Global War on Terror was hitting its stride. His first major assignment wasn't a desert patrol; it was guarding detainees at Guantanamo Bay. Leading a platoon there in 2004 was basically his introduction to the messy, controversial reality of modern American warfare.
Deployment Realities
By 2005, things got more kinetic. He volunteered for Iraq.
- Unit: 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division.
- Location: Baghdad and Samarra.
- The Job: He started in Baghdad but moved to Samarra to work as a civil-military operations officer.
He wasn't just sitting behind a desk. He’s talked openly about a near-miss in Iraq where an RPG hit his vehicle but miraculously didn't explode. It’s that kind of "boots on the ground" experience he leans on today when he’s criticizing "Pentagon brass" for being out of touch.
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The Tattoos That Changed Everything
You can't talk about the Pete Hegseth National Guard story without talking about the ink. In 2021, the world changed for Hegseth. He was a Major in the District of Columbia National Guard at the time, ready to serve during Joe Biden's inauguration.
Then came the "Insider Threat" flag.
A fellow Guard member saw Hegseth's tattoos and reported him. Specifically, the "Deus Vult" (God Wills It) on his bicep and the Jerusalem Cross on his chest. To Hegseth, these were symbols of his Christian faith. To the Army’s vetting process in the wake of January 6th, they were potential markers of extremist ideology.
The Aftermath of the Flagging
It was a mess. Hegseth's orders to guard the inauguration were revoked.
He was essentially benched.
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He didn't just take it quietly, though. In his 2024 book, The War on Warriors, he made it clear that this was the final straw. He felt the military he loved had turned on him, choosing "woke" political correctness over the very soldiers who fought its wars. He resigned from the Individual Ready Reserve in early 2024.
Medals, Ranks, and the "Combat" Debate
Critics often try to poke holes in Hegseth's record. You’ll hear people like Dick Dowdell argue that Hegseth wasn't a "front-line leader under sustained fire" for years on end.
But look at the hardware.
- Two Bronze Stars: These aren't handed out for just showing up, though the context (meritorious service vs. valor) is often debated by veterans.
- Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB): This is the one that matters to grunts. It means you were an infantryman and you were in a combat zone performing your duties under fire.
- Expert Infantryman Badge (EIB): Shows he mastered the technical skills of his craft.
Hegseth also spent time in Afghanistan around 2012 as a counterinsurgency instructor in Kabul. He was teaching the "hearts and minds" strategy even as he was becoming increasingly disillusioned with how the wars were being managed from Washington.
2026: The Secretary and the Senator
Fast forward to today. As Secretary of Defense, Hegseth is now the boss of the organization that once labeled him a threat. The irony isn't lost on anyone in the Pentagon.
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The latest drama? His feud with Senator Mark Kelly. Hegseth’s Pentagon issued a Letter of Censure to Kelly (a retired Navy Captain) over a video Kelly made regarding the duty to refuse "unlawful orders." Hegseth didn't just stop at a letter; he initiated a "retirement-grade review."
Basically, Hegseth is trying to demote a sitting Senator on the retired list. It’s a move that has legal experts scratching their heads and veterans split down the middle. It shows that Pete Hegseth isn't just "in" the National Guard anymore—he’s trying to reshape the entire culture of the military in his own image.
Actionable Insights for Following This Story:
- Watch the Court Case: The Mark Kelly lawsuit is the first major test of whether Hegseth can use his power to punish political rivals through military administrative law.
- Check the Tattoos: If you see photos of him in 2026, look for the "Kafir" (Infidel) tattoo in Arabic. It’s his newest addition and is causing a fresh wave of controversy in international diplomacy, especially with Middle Eastern allies.
- Understand the "Insider Threat" Policy: The 2021 incident with Hegseth led to the current, much stricter (and highly debated) Pentagon policies on what constitutes "extremist" symbols among active-duty and Guard members.
Hegseth's time in the National Guard wasn't just a career; it was a transformation. He went in a believer in the system and came out its loudest critic. Now, he's the one holding the keys.