WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a sweeping change to U.S. military identity, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order last week officially renaming the Department of Defense as the Department of War, marking a return to the nation’s original terminology and signaling a more assertive strategic posture.
Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson announced the change in the department’s Weekly Sitrep video, calling it “essential” to reflect the military’s core mission of delivering lethality, protecting the homeland, and ensuring global dominance.
A Return to Historic Roots
The executive order restores a title that dates back to September 1789, when the first U.S. Congress established the War Department under President George Washington. For more than 150 years, the War Department oversaw the nation’s military operations before being reorganized under the 1947 National Security Act.
Following the merger of the War Department with the Department of the Navy and the newly created Air Force, the entity became the National Military Establishment. Less than two years later, however, the name was changed to the Department of Defense amid concerns that the acronym “NME” sounded like “enemy.”
Wilson emphasized that the shift back to the historic name underscores a broader strategic intent: “Defense alone is not enough; we must be ready to strike and dominate.”
Hegseth Speaks on New Mission and Leadership
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth addressed the significance of the name change while delivering remarks at Fort Benning, Georgia, during the Army’s Officer Candidate School graduation. Speaking to newly commissioned officers, Hegseth highlighted the stakes and responsibilities that come with military leadership.
“This is just the beginning of a new chapter,” Hegseth said. “Our nation needs you; go serve and go fight.”
During his visit, Hegseth also met with Army drill sergeants, engaged with soldiers at the U.S. Army Airborne School, and spent time with troops assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment, underscoring the administration’s renewed emphasis on frontline readiness and morale.
Space Command Headquarters Relocates to Alabama
Earlier in the week, Hegseth joined President Trump to announce that U.S. Space Command (Spacecom) — one of the Pentagon’s 11 unified combatant commands — will relocate its headquarters from Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama.
Hegseth called the move a strategic decision designed to give the U.S. a “leaps and bounds” advantage in the emerging space domain, which he described as “the most important battlefield of the future.”
Wilson added that the relocation is expected to enhance mission effectiveness and improve quality of life for warfighters and their families, aligning military needs with community infrastructure and resources.
Counter-Narco Terrorism Operations Intensify
On September 2, U.S. forces operating under Southern Command carried out a kinetic strike in the Caribbean Sea against members of the Tren de Aragua narco-terrorism organization, resulting in 11 confirmed fatalities.
Hegseth defended the operation during a subsequent media appearance, dismissing Venezuelan government claims that the strike footage was artificially generated.
“I watched it live,” he said. “We knew exactly who was in the targeted vessel, what they were doing, and who they represented.”
Pentagon officials framed the strike as part of a broader campaign to disrupt transnational criminal networks and deter the flow of narcotics into the United States.
Reinstatement Efforts for Former Service Members
The Pentagon also held a listening session last week to gather input from former service members seeking reinstatement after being discharged for noncompliance with the now-defunct COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
According to Wilson, the Department of War is prioritizing reinstatement cases and developing policies aimed at streamlining the return of skilled personnel to active duty.
Strategic Significance of the Name Change
By restoring the Department of War designation, the administration seeks to project a more assertive military stance both domestically and internationally. Officials argue that the change communicates a clearer message of readiness and resolve while reinforcing the United States’ role as a dominant global power.
With parallel moves — from relocating Space Command to conducting counterterrorism operations and reassessing force readiness policies — the renaming signals more than symbolism. It marks a strategic realignment intended to bolster U.S. combat capabilities and project strength in an era of intensifying global competition.
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