Hegseth’s Purge of Modernizers Leaves Army Stuck in the Past
Former Army Secretary Dan Driscoll resigned in August 2026 after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed key leaders driving military modernization. Driscoll had pushed for rapid procurement, AI integration, and counter-drone capabilities, but Hegseth prioritized grooming standards and cultural compliance. The clash left the Army rolling back innovations like the Unmanned Assault Battalion, raising concerns about readiness for future conflicts.