Kathmandu— Daniel Driscoll, the US Army secretary, resigned this week after reportedly appealing to President Donald Trump about changes in military leadership impacting readiness. This follows a series of high-level departures and firings under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has been reshaping the military with a focus on traditional values and combat effectiveness over diversity initiatives.

Hegseth's Leadership Style

Pete Hegseth, an Army National Guard veteran turned Fox News commentator, was appointed by President Trump to lead the Department of Defense. He has been outspoken against what he calls 'woke' ideology in the military and has sought to prioritize combat readiness over diversity initiatives. Under his leadership, the Pentagon has shifted its focus from defense to war and toned down public acknowledgments of minority contributions.

Impact on Military Leadership

The departures under Hegseth include three- and four-star generals, members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and top civilian leaders. Among those who have left are Black and female leaders, raising concerns about a merit-based system being undermined. This churn has led to questions about whether there is a 'hollowing out' of senior military leadership.

Operational Consequences

Experts warn that the constant turnover at high levels could disrupt long-term strategic planning and force modernization efforts, particularly in areas like drone and missile warfare. The frequent changes in leadership can complicate big-picture issues of force modernization, as each new leader may come with a different vision.

The military's senior ranks continue to face uncertainty under Hegseth’s tenure, with concerns about the impact on readiness and long-term strategy.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

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Originally published on abcnews.com.np.