On the surface this does NOT Make Sense. Why would SecDef deign to think that he knows better how to run our various military branches, given his O-4 NG status? If he is planning a mass firing or ubiquitous demotions of all/some Flag & General Officers, how much will he save? Will the resulting Officer Corp(s) in each branch be then filled by legions of grovelling sycophants? Will demotions cause some/many/all Flags or Generals to retire in protest? Who will immediately lead our troops when/if Hegseth cuts through the ranks? How enthused will the remaining feel about getting back to their commands and will they eagerly protect America? Hegseth has allowed much worry and likely dissension in all ranks by his closeted approach to calling a Big Meeting. Did Hegseth miss the lecture and learning of "Praise in Public - Punish in Private"? How much leadership can a TV Reality Host / NG O-4 absorb from his part-time involvement in our military? *Lou* On Fri, Sep 26, 2025 at 1:39 PM Terry McKearney < terry.mckearney@therangergroup.com> wrote:

Latest guess:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/09/26/hegseth-generals...

Who knows if it’s true but I’m sure these guys, but commissioned and CMCs, who’ve had multiple combat tours on their way up the ladder, will get lot out of being lectured by a reserve/NG O4 about being a warrior.

If they do get the wrong coupon, will they have to pay their way back home?

Also heard today: all naval reserve flag billets will be reduced by one star.

*From: *<rsluys@gmail.com> *Date: *Friday, September 26, 2025 at 12:34 *To: *'HeloBubbas' <helobubbas@helobubbas.com> *Subject: *[Helobubbas] Re: Fw: Hegseth calls military leaders to meet next week in sudden order

*WARNING - EXTERNAL EMAIL* This Email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Kind of reeks of that, doesn’t it?

*From:* Marc Liebman <marc@marcliebman.com> *Sent:* Friday, September 26, 2025 11:47 AM *To:* mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com; HeloBubbas <helobubbas@helobubbas.com> *Subject:* [Helobubbas] Re: Fw: Hegseth calls military leaders to meet next week in sudden order

I wonder is this is similar to what CNATRA did in 1974 when they brought all the SNAs at Whiting (VT2 and VT-3) into one room. As you entered, you were given a sealed envelop with your name on it. When instructed, the SNAs opened the envelope and if you had a blue coupon, you went to room A where you were sent home to continue flight training.

If you had a red coupon, you went to another room and found out if you were being released from the Navy with an honorable discharge (Mostly AOC and AVROCs), or if you were being sent to a boat, supply corps training or whatever (NROTC, Naval Academy Grads).

We instructors were not told how/what the determination was made and this smacks of this event. Hegseth wants to reduce the flag ranks by 20% or more.

Marc Liebman

https://www.marcliebman.com

https://www.facebook.com/marcliebmanauthor/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_sDoFQM5wupNaCeGIvKL1g

*From: *Mike Brattland <mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com> *Date: *Friday, September 26, 2025 at 10:28 AM *To: *HeloBubbas <helobubbas@helobubbas.com> *Subject: *[Helobubbas] Fw: Hegseth calls military leaders to meet next week in sudden order

Mike Brattland mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com mgbrattland@brattland.org

www.gerlecreek.com www.ford6vcarburetion.com www.brattland.org www.westcoastwillysclub.com ------------------------------

*From:* David Kocher <dhkocher@gmail.com> *Sent:* Thursday, September 25, 2025 2:53 PM *To:* Mike Brattland <mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com> *Subject:* Hegseth calls military leaders to meet next week in sudden order

https://thehill.com/homenews/5521707-hegseth-summons-top-generals/

_______________________________________________ Helobubbas mailing list -- helobubbas@helobubbas.com To unsubscribe send an email to helobubbas-leave@helobubbas.com _______________________________________________ Helobubbas mailing list -- helobubbas@helobubbas.com To unsubscribe send an email to helobubbas-leave@helobubbas.com

Maybe it's just a demonstration of his power over the military, designed to inflate his ego. Rich ________________________________ From: Bruce Engelhardt <engelharbb@hotmail.com> Sent: Friday, September 26, 2025 6:16 PM To: Lou Fifer <louisfifer@gmail.com> Cc: Terry McKearney <terry.mckearney@therangergroup.com>; Marc Liebman <marc@marcliebman.com>; rsluys@gmail.com <rsluys@gmail.com>; HeloBubbas <helobubbas@helobubbas.com>; bruce valley <brucevalley@earthlink.net>; Dan <gator41@allmail.net>; Douglas Burnett <douglasburnett1972@gmail.com>; Rich-Diana Goldsby <regoldsby@msn.com>; Jock Brownfield <coltjock64@gmail.com>; Al Shively <mooseshively@earthlink.net> Subject: Re: [Helobubbas] Re: Fw: Hegseth calls military leaders to meet next week in sudden order Government shutdown might be reason for the gathering? On Sep 26, 2025, at 5:35 PM, Lou Fifer <louisfifer@gmail.com> wrote:  On the surface this does NOT Make Sense. Why would SecDef deign to think that he knows better how to run our various military branches, given his O-4 NG status? If he is planning a mass firing or ubiquitous demotions of all/some Flag & General Officers, how much will he save? Will the resulting Officer Corp(s) in each branch be then filled by legions of grovelling sycophants? Will demotions cause some/many/all Flags or Generals to retire in protest? Who will immediately lead our troops when/if Hegseth cuts through the ranks? How enthused will the remaining feel about getting back to their commands and will they eagerly protect America? Hegseth has allowed much worry and likely dissension in all ranks by his closeted approach to calling a Big Meeting. Did Hegseth miss the lecture and learning of "Praise in Public - Punish in Private"? How much leadership can a TV Reality Host / NG O-4 absorb from his part-time involvement in our military? Lou On Fri, Sep 26, 2025 at 1:39 PM Terry McKearney <terry.mckearney@therangergroup.com<mailto:terry.mckearney@therangergroup.com>> wrote: Latest guess: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/09/26/hegseth-generals... Who knows if it’s true but I’m sure these guys, but commissioned and CMCs, who’ve had multiple combat tours on their way up the ladder, will get lot out of being lectured by a reserve/NG O4 about being a warrior. If they do get the wrong coupon, will they have to pay their way back home? Also heard today: all naval reserve flag billets will be reduced by one star. From: <rsluys@gmail.com<mailto:rsluys@gmail.com>> Date: Friday, September 26, 2025 at 12:34 To: 'HeloBubbas' <helobubbas@helobubbas.com<mailto:helobubbas@helobubbas.com>> Subject: [Helobubbas] Re: Fw: Hegseth calls military leaders to meet next week in sudden order WARNING - EXTERNAL EMAIL This Email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Kind of reeks of that, doesn’t it? From: Marc Liebman <marc@marcliebman.com<mailto:marc@marcliebman.com>> Sent: Friday, September 26, 2025 11:47 AM To: mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com<mailto:mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com>; HeloBubbas <helobubbas@helobubbas.com<mailto:helobubbas@helobubbas.com>> Subject: [Helobubbas] Re: Fw: Hegseth calls military leaders to meet next week in sudden order I wonder is this is similar to what CNATRA did in 1974 when they brought all the SNAs at Whiting (VT2 and VT-3) into one room. As you entered, you were given a sealed envelop with your name on it. When instructed, the SNAs opened the envelope and if you had a blue coupon, you went to room A where you were sent home to continue flight training. If you had a red coupon, you went to another room and found out if you were being released from the Navy with an honorable discharge (Mostly AOC and AVROCs), or if you were being sent to a boat, supply corps training or whatever (NROTC, Naval Academy Grads). We instructors were not told how/what the determination was made and this smacks of this event. Hegseth wants to reduce the flag ranks by 20% or more. Marc Liebman https://www.marcliebman.com<https://www.marcliebman.com/> https://www.facebook.com/marcliebmanauthor/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_sDoFQM5wupNaCeGIvKL1g From: Mike Brattland <mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com<mailto:mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com>> Date: Friday, September 26, 2025 at 10:28 AM To: HeloBubbas <helobubbas@helobubbas.com<mailto:helobubbas@helobubbas.com>> Subject: [Helobubbas] Fw: Hegseth calls military leaders to meet next week in sudden order Mike Brattland mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com<mailto:mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com> mgbrattland@brattland.org<mailto:mgbrattland@brattland.org> www.gerlecreek.com<http://www.gerlecreek.com/> www.ford6vcarburetion.com<http://www.ford6vcarburetion.com/> www.brattland.org<http://www.brattland.org/> www.westcoastwillysclub.com<http://www.westcoastwillysclub.com/> ________________________________ From: David Kocher <dhkocher@gmail.com<mailto:dhkocher@gmail.com>> Sent: Thursday, September 25, 2025 2:53 PM To: Mike Brattland <mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com<mailto:mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com>> Subject: Hegseth calls military leaders to meet next week in sudden order https://thehill.com/homenews/5521707-hegseth-summons-top-generals/ _______________________________________________ Helobubbas mailing list -- helobubbas@helobubbas.com<mailto:helobubbas@helobubbas.com> To unsubscribe send an email to helobubbas-leave@helobubbas.com<mailto:helobubbas-leave@helobubbas.com> _______________________________________________ Helobubbas mailing list -- helobubbas@helobubbas.com<mailto:helobubbas@helobubbas.com> To unsubscribe send an email to helobubbas-leave@helobubbas.com<mailto:helobubbas-leave@helobubbas.com>

Rich - could be. I dont like the optics. We’ve had many egomaniacs in the role of SECDEF over the years, but getting this large group together is bush league - as if he does not trust his senior leaders to communicate his policies. Almost as if he does not know what his job is. Billions/trillions of dollars and over a million in uniform and he seems rudderless. Oh by the way, reorganizations are perhaps an excuse for unwillingness to deal with the real issues facing DOD. Too much overhead - generals/admirals etc - is not the main issue unless you want a military that focuses only on literally just defending our immediate borders and only destroying drug running banana boats. The main issue is defending against peer competitor PRC and finding the resources to do it - this includes a reform of acquisition process. I don't think our O4 SECDEF is showing the right priorities. His acquisition leaders are not even invited to this seance. I hope im wrong. Looks like clown cars, keystone cops and gang that cant shoot straight to me. Part of the problem no doubt is that the dems are slow rolling all of his lower level appts -so he does not have a loyal staff. What a mess. Bruce On Sep 26, 2025, at 6:41 PM, Richard Goldsby <regoldsby@msn.com> wrote:  Maybe it's just a demonstration of his power over the military, designed to inflate his ego. Rich - ________________________________ From: Bruce Engelhardt <engelharbb@hotmail.com> Sent: Friday, September 26, 2025 6:16 PM To: Lou Fifer <louisfifer@gmail.com> Cc: Terry McKearney <terry.mckearney@therangergroup.com>; Marc Liebman <marc@marcliebman.com>; rsluys@gmail.com <rsluys@gmail.com>; HeloBubbas <helobubbas@helobubbas.com>; bruce valley <brucevalley@earthlink.net>; Dan <gator41@allmail.net>; Douglas Burnett <douglasburnett1972@gmail.com>; Rich-Diana Goldsby <regoldsby@msn.com>; Jock Brownfield <coltjock64@gmail.com>; Al Shively <mooseshively@earthlink.net> Subject: Re: [Helobubbas] Re: Fw: Hegseth calls military leaders to meet next week in sudden order Government shutdown might be reason for the gathering? On Sep 26, 2025, at 5:35 PM, Lou Fifer <louisfifer@gmail.com> wrote:  On the surface this does NOT Make Sense. Why would SecDef deign to think that he knows better how to run our various military branches, given his O-4 NG status? If he is planning a mass firing or ubiquitous demotions of all/some Flag & General Officers, how much will he save? Will the resulting Officer Corp(s) in each branch be then filled by legions of grovelling sycophants? Will demotions cause some/many/all Flags or Generals to retire in protest? Who will immediately lead our troops when/if Hegseth cuts through the ranks? How enthused will the remaining feel about getting back to their commands and will they eagerly protect America? Hegseth has allowed much worry and likely dissension in all ranks by his closeted approach to calling a Big Meeting. Did Hegseth miss the lecture and learning of "Praise in Public - Punish in Private"? How much leadership can a TV Reality Host / NG O-4 absorb from his part-time involvement in our military? Lou On Fri, Sep 26, 2025 at 1:39 PM Terry McKearney <terry.mckearney@therangergroup.com<mailto:terry.mckearney@therangergroup.com>> wrote: Latest guess: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/09/26/hegseth-generals... Who knows if it’s true but I’m sure these guys, but commissioned and CMCs, who’ve had multiple combat tours on their way up the ladder, will get lot out of being lectured by a reserve/NG O4 about being a warrior. If they do get the wrong coupon, will they have to pay their way back home? Also heard today: all naval reserve flag billets will be reduced by one star. From: <rsluys@gmail.com<mailto:rsluys@gmail.com>> Date: Friday, September 26, 2025 at 12:34 To: 'HeloBubbas' <helobubbas@helobubbas.com<mailto:helobubbas@helobubbas.com>> Subject: [Helobubbas] Re: Fw: Hegseth calls military leaders to meet next week in sudden order WARNING - EXTERNAL EMAIL This Email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Kind of reeks of that, doesn’t it? From: Marc Liebman <marc@marcliebman.com<mailto:marc@marcliebman.com>> Sent: Friday, September 26, 2025 11:47 AM To: mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com<mailto:mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com>; HeloBubbas <helobubbas@helobubbas.com<mailto:helobubbas@helobubbas.com>> Subject: [Helobubbas] Re: Fw: Hegseth calls military leaders to meet next week in sudden order I wonder is this is similar to what CNATRA did in 1974 when they brought all the SNAs at Whiting (VT2 and VT-3) into one room. As you entered, you were given a sealed envelop with your name on it. When instructed, the SNAs opened the envelope and if you had a blue coupon, you went to room A where you were sent home to continue flight training. If you had a red coupon, you went to another room and found out if you were being released from the Navy with an honorable discharge (Mostly AOC and AVROCs), or if you were being sent to a boat, supply corps training or whatever (NROTC, Naval Academy Grads). We instructors were not told how/what the determination was made and this smacks of this event. Hegseth wants to reduce the flag ranks by 20% or more. Marc Liebman https://www.marcliebman.com<https://www.marcliebman.com/> https://www.facebook.com/marcliebmanauthor/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_sDoFQM5wupNaCeGIvKL1g From: Mike Brattland <mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com<mailto:mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com>> Date: Friday, September 26, 2025 at 10:28 AM To: HeloBubbas <helobubbas@helobubbas.com<mailto:helobubbas@helobubbas.com>> Subject: [Helobubbas] Fw: Hegseth calls military leaders to meet next week in sudden order Mike Brattland mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com<mailto:mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com> mgbrattland@brattland.org<mailto:mgbrattland@brattland.org> www.gerlecreek.com<http://www.gerlecreek.com/> www.ford6vcarburetion.com<http://www.ford6vcarburetion.com/> www.brattland.org<http://www.brattland.org/> www.westcoastwillysclub.com<http://www.westcoastwillysclub.com/> ________________________________ From: David Kocher <dhkocher@gmail.com<mailto:dhkocher@gmail.com>> Sent: Thursday, September 25, 2025 2:53 PM To: Mike Brattland <mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com<mailto:mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com>> Subject: Hegseth calls military leaders to meet next week in sudden order https://thehill.com/homenews/5521707-hegseth-summons-top-generals/ _______________________________________________ Helobubbas mailing list -- helobubbas@helobubbas.com<mailto:helobubbas@helobubbas.com> To unsubscribe send an email to helobubbas-leave@helobubbas.com<mailto:helobubbas-leave@helobubbas.com> _______________________________________________ Helobubbas mailing list -- helobubbas@helobubbas.com<mailto:helobubbas@helobubbas.com> To unsubscribe send an email to helobubbas-leave@helobubbas.com<mailto:helobubbas-leave@helobubbas.com>

I have read with interest all the comments and speculation.  Some of the ideas or questions floated could be close to the mark, but I think we are all going to be blindsided by something we don't anticipate. What about Trump's recent message to the UN?  (I got a chuckle out of his "message" to Macron before the meeting.  Maybe that is a hint for all of us.) I certainly could be mistaken, but I don't expect a Stalinesque purge. I do wonder how clever you have to be to put all those top leaders in one room.  In my day the Skipper and the XO never flew together.  That is on a vanishingly small scale compared to what he is doing. It looks to me that we have Senator Thune to thank for running interference for the Democrats... no real breaks that will allow Trump to make recess appointments.  I don't expect much in the way of reorganization or for that matter, tough off-topic, dilution of the Clinton-Obama-Autopen era artifacts in the judiciary. We have a hall monitor with tats and a taser.  What could go wrong? On 9/27/2025 8:12 AM, Terry McKearney wrote:

I think we really need to be concerned that we’re taking our eye off the ball vis a vis China. The problem may be the administration’s desire to come down on the drug cartels -a this hemisphere problem - or, to be a bit more conspiratorial, a high level desire to court China as the president seems to be doing (TikTok, calls with Xi, tariff deals). Better relations with Chian on the diplomatic and economic front are well and good, but we still need the Big Stick and our military, if not all levels of government, should be keeping up the drum beat on the Davidson Window - it’s critical to our national posture and status in the Far East.

*From: *Bruce Engelhardt <engelharbb@hotmail.com> *Date: *Friday, September 26, 2025 at 16:10 *To: *Richard Goldsby <regoldsby@msn.com> *Cc: *Lou Fifer <louisfifer@gmail.com>, Terry McKearney <terry.mckearney@therangergroup.com>, Marc Liebman <marc@marcliebman.com>, "rsluys@gmail.com" <rsluys@gmail.com>, HeloBubbas <helobubbas@helobubbas.com>, bruce valley <brucevalley@earthlink.net>, Dan <gator41@allmail.net>, Douglas Burnett <douglasburnett1972@gmail.com>, Jock Brownfield <coltjock64@gmail.com>, Al Shively <mooseshively@earthlink.net> *Subject: *[Helobubbas] Re: Fw: Hegseth calls military leaders to meet next week in sudden order

*WARNING - EXTERNAL EMAIL* This Email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Rich - could be. I dont like the optics. We’ve had many egomaniacs in the role of SECDEF over the years, but getting this large group together is bush league - as if he does not trust his senior leaders to communicate his policies. Almost as if he does not know what his job is. Billions/trillions of dollars and over a million in uniform and he seems rudderless. Oh by the way, reorganizations are perhaps an excuse for unwillingness to deal with the real issues facing DOD. Too much overhead - generals/admirals etc - is not the main issue unless you want a military that focuses only on literally just defending our immediate borders and only destroying drug running banana boats. The main issue is defending against peer competitor PRC and finding the resources to do it - this includes a reform of acquisition process. I don't think our O4 SECDEF is showing the right priorities. His acquisition leaders are not even invited to this seance. I hope im wrong. Looks like clown cars, keystone cops and gang that cant shoot straight to me. Part of the problem no doubt is that the dems are slow rolling all of his lower level appts -so he does not have a loyal staff. What a mess. Bruce

On Sep 26, 2025, at 6:41 PM, Richard Goldsby <regoldsby@msn.com> wrote:



Maybe it's just a demonstration of his power over the military, designed to inflate his ego.

Rich

-

------------------------------------------------------------------------

*From:* Bruce Engelhardt <engelharbb@hotmail.com> *Sent:* Friday, September 26, 2025 6:16 PM *To:* Lou Fifer <louisfifer@gmail.com> *Cc:* Terry McKearney <terry.mckearney@therangergroup.com>; Marc Liebman <marc@marcliebman.com>; rsluys@gmail.com <rsluys@gmail.com>; HeloBubbas <helobubbas@helobubbas.com>; bruce valley <brucevalley@earthlink.net>; Dan <gator41@allmail.net>; Douglas Burnett <douglasburnett1972@gmail.com>; Rich-Diana Goldsby <regoldsby@msn.com>; Jock Brownfield <coltjock64@gmail.com>; Al Shively <mooseshively@earthlink.net> *Subject:* Re: [Helobubbas] Re: Fw: Hegseth calls military leaders to meet next week in sudden order

Government shutdown might be reason for the gathering?

On Sep 26, 2025, at 5:35 PM, Lou Fifer <louisfifer@gmail.com> wrote:



On the surface this does NOT Make Sense.

Why would SecDef deign to think that he knows better how to run our various military branches, given his O-4 NG status?

If he is planning a mass firing or ubiquitous demotions of all/some Flag & General Officers, how much will he save?

Will the resulting Officer Corp(s) in each branch be then filled by legions of grovelling sycophants?

Will demotions cause some/many/all Flags or Generals to retire in protest?

Who will immediately lead our troops when/if Hegseth cuts through the ranks?

How enthused will the remaining feel about getting back to their commands and will they eagerly protect America?

Hegseth has allowed much worry and likely dissension in all ranks by his closeted approach to calling a Big Meeting.

Did Hegseth miss the lecture and learning of "Praise in Public - Punish in Private"?

How much leadership can a TV Reality Host / NG O-4 absorb from his part-time involvement in our military?

*Lou*

On Fri, Sep 26, 2025 at 1:39 PM Terry McKearney <terry.mckearney@therangergroup.com> wrote:

Latest guess:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/09/26/hegseth-generals... <https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/09/26/hegseth-generals-meeting-warrior-speech/?utm_source=alert&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=wp_news_alert_revere&location=alert>

Who knows if it’s true but I’m sure these guys, but commissioned and CMCs, who’ve had multiple combat tours on their way up the ladder, will get lot out of being lectured by a reserve/NG O4 about being a warrior.

If they do get the wrong coupon, will they have to pay their way back home?

Also heard today: all naval reserve flag billets will be reduced by one star.

*From: *<rsluys@gmail.com> *Date: *Friday, September 26, 2025 at 12:34 *To: *'HeloBubbas' <helobubbas@helobubbas.com> *Subject: *[Helobubbas] Re: Fw: Hegseth calls military leaders to meet next week in sudden order

*WARNING - EXTERNAL EMAIL* This Email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Kind of reeks of that, doesn’t it?

*From:* Marc Liebman <marc@marcliebman.com> *Sent:* Friday, September 26, 2025 11:47 AM *To:* mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com; HeloBubbas <helobubbas@helobubbas.com> *Subject:* [Helobubbas] Re: Fw: Hegseth calls military leaders to meet next week in sudden order

I wonder is this is similar to what CNATRA did in 1974 when they brought all the SNAs at Whiting (VT2 and VT-3) into one room. As you entered, you were given a sealed envelop with your name on it. When instructed, the SNAs opened the envelope and if you had a blue coupon, you went to room A where you were sent home to continue flight training.

If you had a red coupon, you went to another room and found out if you were being released from the Navy with an honorable discharge (Mostly AOC and AVROCs), or if you were being sent to a boat, supply corps training or whatever (NROTC, Naval Academy Grads).

We instructors were not told how/what the determination was made and this smacks of this event. Hegseth wants to reduce the flag ranks by 20% or more.

Marc Liebman

https://www.marcliebman.com <https://www.marcliebman.com/>

https://www.facebook.com/marcliebmanauthor/ <https://www.facebook.com/marcliebmanauthor/>

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_sDoFQM5wupNaCeGIvKL1g <https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_sDoFQM5wupNaCeGIvKL1g>

*From: *Mike Brattland <mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com> *Date: *Friday, September 26, 2025 at 10:28 AM *To: *HeloBubbas <helobubbas@helobubbas.com> *Subject: *[Helobubbas] Fw: Hegseth calls military leaders to meet next week in sudden order

Mike Brattland mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com mgbrattland@brattland.org

www.gerlecreek.com <http://www.gerlecreek.com/> www.ford6vcarburetion.com <http://www.ford6vcarburetion.com/> www.brattland.org <http://www.brattland.org/> www.westcoastwillysclub.com <http://www.westcoastwillysclub.com/>

------------------------------------------------------------------------

*From:* David Kocher <dhkocher@gmail.com> *Sent:* Thursday, September 25, 2025 2:53 PM *To:* Mike Brattland <mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com> *Subject:* Hegseth calls military leaders to meet next week in sudden order

https://thehill.com/homenews/5521707-hegseth-summons-top-generals/

_______________________________________________ Helobubbas mailing list -- helobubbas@helobubbas.com To unsubscribe send an email to helobubbas-leave@helobubbas.com

_______________________________________________ Helobubbas mailing list -- helobubbas@helobubbas.com To unsubscribe send an email to helobubbas-leave@helobubbas.com

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Lou - methinks Dan was very kind to PH. What was DJT thinking - overly focused on belief Biden had woked the military- which is true and a problem- but not the most pressing- u are not too judgy in this case PH is a buffoon overall. go navy- bruce On Sep 27, 2025, at 4:00 PM, Lou Fifer <louisfifer@gmail.com> wrote:  I think it just goes to show that Republican political appointees can be as mindless as their Dem-Lib-Left predecessors. Dan's comment about our "... hall monitor with tats and a taser ..." is spot on and reminds me that I would hate working for a mindless political narcissist like PH, but perhaps I am too quick to judge the lad (my wife thinks me "judgy"). Lou On Sat, Sep 27, 2025 at 11:44 AM Dan <gator41@allmail.net<mailto:gator41@allmail.net>> wrote: I have read with interest all the comments and speculation. Some of the ideas or questions floated could be close to the mark, but I think we are all going to be blindsided by something we don't anticipate. What about Trump's recent message to the UN? (I got a chuckle out of his "message" to Macron before the meeting. Maybe that is a hint for all of us.) I certainly could be mistaken, but I don't expect a Stalinesque purge. I do wonder how clever you have to be to put all those top leaders in one room. In my day the Skipper and the XO never flew together. That is on a vanishingly small scale compared to what he is doing. It looks to me that we have Senator Thune to thank for running interference for the Democrats... no real breaks that will allow Trump to make recess appointments. I don't expect much in the way of reorganization or for that matter, tough off-topic, dilution of the Clinton-Obama-Autopen era artifacts in the judiciary. We have a hall monitor with tats and a taser. What could go wrong? On 9/27/2025 8:12 AM, Terry McKearney wrote: I think we really need to be concerned that we’re taking our eye off the ball vis a vis China. The problem may be the administration’s desire to come down on the drug cartels -a this hemisphere problem - or, to be a bit more conspiratorial, a high level desire to court China as the president seems to be doing (TikTok, calls with Xi, tariff deals). Better relations with Chian on the diplomatic and economic front are well and good, but we still need the Big Stick and our military, if not all levels of government, should be keeping up the drum beat on the Davidson Window - it’s critical to our national posture and status in the Far East. From: Bruce Engelhardt <engelharbb@hotmail.com><mailto:engelharbb@hotmail.com> Date: Friday, September 26, 2025 at 16:10 To: Richard Goldsby <regoldsby@msn.com><mailto:regoldsby@msn.com> Cc: Lou Fifer <louisfifer@gmail.com><mailto:louisfifer@gmail.com>, Terry McKearney <terry.mckearney@therangergroup.com><mailto:terry.mckearney@therangergroup.com>, Marc Liebman <marc@marcliebman.com><mailto:marc@marcliebman.com>, "rsluys@gmail.com"<mailto:rsluys@gmail.com> <rsluys@gmail.com><mailto:rsluys@gmail.com>, HeloBubbas <helobubbas@helobubbas.com><mailto:helobubbas@helobubbas.com>, bruce valley <brucevalley@earthlink.net><mailto:brucevalley@earthlink.net>, Dan <gator41@allmail.net><mailto:gator41@allmail.net>, Douglas Burnett <douglasburnett1972@gmail.com><mailto:douglasburnett1972@gmail.com>, Jock Brownfield <coltjock64@gmail.com><mailto:coltjock64@gmail.com>, Al Shively <mooseshively@earthlink.net><mailto:mooseshively@earthlink.net> Subject: [Helobubbas] Re: Fw: Hegseth calls military leaders to meet next week in sudden order WARNING - EXTERNAL EMAIL This Email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Rich - could be. I dont like the optics. We’ve had many egomaniacs in the role of SECDEF over the years, but getting this large group together is bush league - as if he does not trust his senior leaders to communicate his policies. Almost as if he does not know what his job is. Billions/trillions of dollars and over a million in uniform and he seems rudderless. Oh by the way, reorganizations are perhaps an excuse for unwillingness to deal with the real issues facing DOD. Too much overhead - generals/admirals etc - is not the main issue unless you want a military that focuses only on literally just defending our immediate borders and only destroying drug running banana boats. The main issue is defending against peer competitor PRC and finding the resources to do it - this includes a reform of acquisition process. I don't think our O4 SECDEF is showing the right priorities. His acquisition leaders are not even invited to this seance. I hope im wrong. Looks like clown cars, keystone cops and gang that cant shoot straight to me. Part of the problem no doubt is that the dems are slow rolling all of his lower level appts -so he does not have a loyal staff. What a mess. Bruce On Sep 26, 2025, at 6:41 PM, Richard Goldsby <regoldsby@msn.com><mailto:regoldsby@msn.com> wrote:  Maybe it's just a demonstration of his power over the military, designed to inflate his ego. Rich - ________________________________ From: Bruce Engelhardt <engelharbb@hotmail.com><mailto:engelharbb@hotmail.com> Sent: Friday, September 26, 2025 6:16 PM To: Lou Fifer <louisfifer@gmail.com><mailto:louisfifer@gmail.com> Cc: Terry McKearney <terry.mckearney@therangergroup.com><mailto:terry.mckearney@therangergroup.com>; Marc Liebman <marc@marcliebman.com><mailto:marc@marcliebman.com>; rsluys@gmail.com<mailto:rsluys@gmail.com> <rsluys@gmail.com><mailto:rsluys@gmail.com>; HeloBubbas <helobubbas@helobubbas.com><mailto:helobubbas@helobubbas.com>; bruce valley <brucevalley@earthlink.net><mailto:brucevalley@earthlink.net>; Dan <gator41@allmail.net><mailto:gator41@allmail.net>; Douglas Burnett <douglasburnett1972@gmail.com><mailto:douglasburnett1972@gmail.com>; Rich-Diana Goldsby <regoldsby@msn.com><mailto:regoldsby@msn.com>; Jock Brownfield <coltjock64@gmail.com><mailto:coltjock64@gmail.com>; Al Shively <mooseshively@earthlink.net><mailto:mooseshively@earthlink.net> Subject: Re: [Helobubbas] Re: Fw: Hegseth calls military leaders to meet next week in sudden order Government shutdown might be reason for the gathering? On Sep 26, 2025, at 5:35 PM, Lou Fifer <louisfifer@gmail.com><mailto:louisfifer@gmail.com> wrote:  On the surface this does NOT Make Sense. Why would SecDef deign to think that he knows better how to run our various military branches, given his O-4 NG status? If he is planning a mass firing or ubiquitous demotions of all/some Flag & General Officers, how much will he save? Will the resulting Officer Corp(s) in each branch be then filled by legions of grovelling sycophants? Will demotions cause some/many/all Flags or Generals to retire in protest? Who will immediately lead our troops when/if Hegseth cuts through the ranks? How enthused will the remaining feel about getting back to their commands and will they eagerly protect America? Hegseth has allowed much worry and likely dissension in all ranks by his closeted approach to calling a Big Meeting. Did Hegseth miss the lecture and learning of "Praise in Public - Punish in Private"? How much leadership can a TV Reality Host / NG O-4 absorb from his part-time involvement in our military? Lou On Fri, Sep 26, 2025 at 1:39 PM Terry McKearney <terry.mckearney@therangergroup.com<mailto:terry.mckearney@therangergroup.com>> wrote: Latest guess: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/09/26/hegseth-generals... Who knows if it’s true but I’m sure these guys, but commissioned and CMCs, who’ve had multiple combat tours on their way up the ladder, will get lot out of being lectured by a reserve/NG O4 about being a warrior. If they do get the wrong coupon, will they have to pay their way back home? Also heard today: all naval reserve flag billets will be reduced by one star. From: <rsluys@gmail.com<mailto:rsluys@gmail.com>> Date: Friday, September 26, 2025 at 12:34 To: 'HeloBubbas' <helobubbas@helobubbas.com<mailto:helobubbas@helobubbas.com>> Subject: [Helobubbas] Re: Fw: Hegseth calls military leaders to meet next week in sudden order WARNING - EXTERNAL EMAIL This Email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Kind of reeks of that, doesn’t it? From: Marc Liebman <marc@marcliebman.com<mailto:marc@marcliebman.com>> Sent: Friday, September 26, 2025 11:47 AM To: mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com<mailto:mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com>; HeloBubbas <helobubbas@helobubbas.com<mailto:helobubbas@helobubbas.com>> Subject: [Helobubbas] Re: Fw: Hegseth calls military leaders to meet next week in sudden order I wonder is this is similar to what CNATRA did in 1974 when they brought all the SNAs at Whiting (VT2 and VT-3) into one room. As you entered, you were given a sealed envelop with your name on it. When instructed, the SNAs opened the envelope and if you had a blue coupon, you went to room A where you were sent home to continue flight training. If you had a red coupon, you went to another room and found out if you were being released from the Navy with an honorable discharge (Mostly AOC and AVROCs), or if you were being sent to a boat, supply corps training or whatever (NROTC, Naval Academy Grads). We instructors were not told how/what the determination was made and this smacks of this event. Hegseth wants to reduce the flag ranks by 20% or more. Marc Liebman https://www.marcliebman.com<https://www.marcliebman.com/> https://www.facebook.com/marcliebmanauthor/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_sDoFQM5wupNaCeGIvKL1g From: Mike Brattland <mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com<mailto:mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com>> Date: Friday, September 26, 2025 at 10:28 AM To: HeloBubbas <helobubbas@helobubbas.com<mailto:helobubbas@helobubbas.com>> Subject: [Helobubbas] Fw: Hegseth calls military leaders to meet next week in sudden order Mike Brattland mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com<mailto:mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com> mgbrattland@brattland.org<mailto:mgbrattland@brattland.org> www.gerlecreek.com<http://www.gerlecreek.com/> www.ford6vcarburetion.com<http://www.ford6vcarburetion.com/> www.brattland.org<http://www.brattland.org/> www.westcoastwillysclub.com<http://www.westcoastwillysclub.com/> ________________________________ From: David Kocher <dhkocher@gmail.com<mailto:dhkocher@gmail.com>> Sent: Thursday, September 25, 2025 2:53 PM To: Mike Brattland <mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com<mailto:mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com>> Subject: Hegseth calls military leaders to meet next week in sudden order https://thehill.com/homenews/5521707-hegseth-summons-top-generals/ _______________________________________________ Helobubbas mailing list -- helobubbas@helobubbas.com<mailto:helobubbas@helobubbas.com> To unsubscribe send an email to helobubbas-leave@helobubbas.com<mailto:helobubbas-leave@helobubbas.com> _______________________________________________ Helobubbas mailing list -- helobubbas@helobubbas.com<mailto:helobubbas@helobubbas.com> To unsubscribe send an email to helobubbas-leave@helobubbas.com<mailto:helobubbas-leave@helobubbas.com> _______________________________________________ Helobubbas mailing list -- helobubbas@helobubbas.com<mailto:helobubbas@helobubbas.com> To unsubscribe send an email to helobubbas-leave@helobubbas.com<mailto:helobubbas-leave@helobubbas.com>

I have no facts & no theories about the meeting, but do any of us NOT think that the USN has become rank top-heavy over the years? On Fri, Sep 26, 2025, 20:51 randall abshier <abshierr@cox.net> wrote:

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Found this little piece of data after not very deep research. Doesn’t tell the whole story but is an indicator. By any measure the US military has too many flag and general officers. Something needs to be done. I found this info in a quick search. ARMY. In 1945, the number of Army generals per active Army division was 14. In 1986, at the height of the Cold War, the army had 24 generals per division. Now, as we face no major threat, there are 30 generals per division. NAVY. At the end of WWII there were 130 Navy ships per admiral. In 1986, at the height of the Cold War, there were 2.2 ships per admiral. Now, as we face no major threat, there is an average of only 1.6 ships per admiral. MARINES. In 1945 there were 469,925 Marines commanded by 81 generals; by March 1997, 79 generals commanded a mere 173,011 Marines. AIR FORCE. In 1945 there were 244 aircraft per general in the Air Force. In 1986, at the height of the Cold War, there were 28 aircraft per general. Now, as we face no major threat, there are only 23 aircraft per general. I think the meeting is going to be part pep talk and part warning. Get your shit together and start implementing the President’s vision (and by extension mine) or you’ll be part of the 20% (at least ) walking out the door. Michael Fuqua michael.fuqua@gmail.com 858-382-3297

On Sep 27, 2025, at 08:00, <olmsteaj@erols.com> <olmsteaj@erols.com> wrote:

We currently have more Admirals than combatant ships.

-----Original Message----- From: Robert Cameron <rcamero1@gmail.com> Sent: Saturday, September 27, 2025 10:49 AM To: randall abshier <abshierr@cox.net> Cc: Helobubbas <helobubbas@helobubbas.com> Subject: [Helobubbas] Re: Fwd: Re: Fw: Hegseth calls military leaders to meet next week in sudden order

I have no facts & no theories about the meeting, but do any of us NOT think that the USN has become rank top-heavy over the years?

On Fri, Sep 26, 2025, 20:51 randall abshier <abshierr@cox.net <mailto:abshierr@cox.net> > wrote:

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Well, I for one think we have to many flag officers in every service. I’ve said this before, everyone comes with a staff and those not at the pointy edge of the sword, spends much of its time justifying its existence. At the end of the day, I think the AF and Army will be hit harder than the Navy. Only recently did the three star fleet commanders get one- or two-star deputies. Having spent a fair amount of time on the C7F, CTF70 and SocCom staffs, what we often would send an E-7 – E-9 who has the skills to do what is needed, they find themselves working with AF and Army O-5s and 0-6s. Case in point…. Back in the old days, the N6 (now the N5) of C7F sat on the CINCUNC targeting board. The chairman was always the Air Force ACC who was a two, sometimes three-star. The army sent a BG as did the AF along with an O-6, several O-5s and a cast of thousands. When I went, it was me, a O-4 A-7/A-6 bubba, and EA-6 EWO O-3, an intel E-7 and two E-6s who knew their way around both the pubs and how to look at photos. My concern about the Reserves is that they are going to be cut way, way back which is dumb, dumb, dumb. Reserve units with real world Navy jobs to do are cheaper to support, have far more expertise and already spend time on active duty. You also don’t have to move them from pillar to post to sustain a career path. FYI, most of the NCC staff on the Blue Maru and those in Riyadh were SelRes to say nothing of my little band of 14 SelRes thieves on Ranger with OpCon of 140+ helos from 14 different nations. Marc Liebman https://www.marcliebman.com https://www.facebook.com/marcliebmanauthor/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_sDoFQM5wupNaCeGIvKL1g From: Terry McKearney <terry.mckearney@therangergroup.com> Date: Friday, September 26, 2025 at 3:39 PM To: "rsluys@gmail.com" <rsluys@gmail.com>, 'HeloBubbas' <helobubbas@helobubbas.com> Subject: [Helobubbas] Re: Fw: Hegseth calls military leaders to meet next week in sudden order Latest guess: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/09/26/hegseth-generals... Who knows if it’s true but I’m sure these guys, but commissioned and CMCs, who’ve had multiple combat tours on their way up the ladder, will get lot out of being lectured by a reserve/NG O4 about being a warrior. If they do get the wrong coupon, will they have to pay their way back home? Also heard today: all naval reserve flag billets will be reduced by one star. From: <rsluys@gmail.com> Date: Friday, September 26, 2025 at 12:34 To: 'HeloBubbas' <helobubbas@helobubbas.com> Subject: [Helobubbas] Re: Fw: Hegseth calls military leaders to meet next week in sudden order WARNING - EXTERNAL EMAIL This Email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Kind of reeks of that, doesn’t it? From: Marc Liebman <marc@marcliebman.com> Sent: Friday, September 26, 2025 11:47 AM To: mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com; HeloBubbas <helobubbas@helobubbas.com> Subject: [Helobubbas] Re: Fw: Hegseth calls military leaders to meet next week in sudden order I wonder is this is similar to what CNATRA did in 1974 when they brought all the SNAs at Whiting (VT2 and VT-3) into one room. As you entered, you were given a sealed envelop with your name on it. When instructed, the SNAs opened the envelope and if you had a blue coupon, you went to room A where you were sent home to continue flight training. If you had a red coupon, you went to another room and found out if you were being released from the Navy with an honorable discharge (Mostly AOC and AVROCs), or if you were being sent to a boat, supply corps training or whatever (NROTC, Naval Academy Grads). We instructors were not told how/what the determination was made and this smacks of this event. Hegseth wants to reduce the flag ranks by 20% or more. Marc Liebman https://www.marcliebman.com https://www.facebook.com/marcliebmanauthor/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_sDoFQM5wupNaCeGIvKL1g From: Mike Brattland <mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com<mailto:mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com>> Date: Friday, September 26, 2025 at 10:28 AM To: HeloBubbas <helobubbas@helobubbas.com<mailto:helobubbas@helobubbas.com>> Subject: [Helobubbas] Fw: Hegseth calls military leaders to meet next week in sudden order Mike Brattland mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com<mailto:mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com> mgbrattland@brattland.org<mailto:mgbrattland@brattland.org> www.gerlecreek.com<http://www.gerlecreek.com> www.ford6vcarburetion.com<http://www.ford6vcarburetion.com> www.brattland.org<http://www.brattland.org> www.westcoastwillysclub.com<http://www.westcoastwillysclub.com> ________________________________ From: David Kocher <dhkocher@gmail.com<mailto:dhkocher@gmail.com>> Sent: Thursday, September 25, 2025 2:53 PM To: Mike Brattland <mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com<mailto:mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com>> Subject: Hegseth calls military leaders to meet next week in sudden order https://thehill.com/homenews/5521707-hegseth-summons-top-generals/ _______________________________________________ Helobubbas mailing list -- helobubbas@helobubbas.com To unsubscribe send an email to helobubbas-leave@helobubbas.com