Hegseth opens the book with a direct and urgent thesis: the US military is under siege—not from a foreign power, but from within—due to “woke” cultural values that he claims have infiltrated its ranks. This internal threat, according to Hegseth, is corroding the “warrior ethos” that once defined the armed forces, ultimately diminishing operational readiness and weakening the nation’s defense. The introduction establishes the book’s tone, purpose, and stakes. Hegseth draws on his personal experience as an Army veteran who served from 2001 to 2021, highlighting his transformation from a soldier who “loved, fought for, and revered” (5) the military to someone disillusioned by its ideological shifts. He frames his separation from the Army as a reflection of a larger betrayal—one in which the military, as an institution, has “spit him out” (5). This emotionally charged imagery is intended to position him as a credible whistleblower, giving readers a personal stake in his broader argument.

Hegseth introduces a key rhetorical device in this section: the idea of the “politician in camo.” This phrase describes military leaders who, in his view, have succumbed to civilian political pressure, prioritizing ideological goals like Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) over combat effectiveness.