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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsKegsbreath: So "Captain" Kelly, not only did your sedition video intentionally undercut good order & discipline...
Last edited Tue Nov 25, 2025, 09:00 AM - Edit history (1)
every single thing hegseth says in public reveals a bottomless pit of insecurity
— jamelle (@jamellebouie.net) 2025-11-25T13:08:00.515Z
The audacity of this little shit
EDITED to add:
Went to look at what Hegseth is quoting and it's not even a mirror image problem, Kelly's medals are in the right order. I suspect Hegseth just doesn't know what he's looking at, and he's too lazy and shameless to google it.
— Max Kennerly (@maxkennerly.bsky.social) 2025-11-25T13:29:50.826Z
x.com/PeteHegseth/...
www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/References/U...
MarineCombatEngineer
(17,207 posts)which is good, every word out of his pie hole is proof of his gross incompetence.
Botany
(76,008 posts)Sen. Kelly is a real life hero with an impeccable record of accomplishments.
MorbidButterflyTat
(3,995 posts)popsdenver
(1,190 posts)"It is better to be thought a fool, rather than to speak and remove all doubt"...........
spanone
(140,784 posts)Mr.Bee
(1,515 posts)Dave Id
(218 posts)...and way too much alcohol.
COL Mustard
(7,861 posts)Fixed it for ya!
marble falls
(69,868 posts)Bo Zarts
(26,205 posts)Douglas C. Neidermeyer (fictional character in the 1978 film Animal House) was the quintessential ROTC asshole. Neidermeyer didn't last long in the 'Nam. According to the credits at the end of the movie, 'ole Doug was fragged by his own troops.

MarineCombatEngineer
(17,207 posts)my favorite scene, out of all my other favorite scenes was the horse scene.
jmowreader
(52,806 posts)The story goes that Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider loved Niedermeyer in Animal House and wanted "someone like Niedermeyer" to play the father in the "We're Not Gonna Take It" video. Mr. Snider was more than happy to learn they could cast the actual Niedermeyer.
rampartd
(3,212 posts)about a week longer than lt bonespur.
KS Toronado
(22,331 posts)Informed the 1st Sgt who's orders I had followed "Don't worry trooper I'll take care of it" Few days later he
had orders for Vietnam, everyone said he wouldn't last a week over there.
Irish_Dem
(78,343 posts)At least the smart ones did.
AverageOldGuy
(3,203 posts)Several of my ROTC instructors were senior NCOs with either WW II or Korean War experience. They made it clear to us ROTC cadets how to work with NCOs.
As an artillery officer I relied from day one on the Chief of Smoke and the Section Chiefs who knew their guns and the FDC forward and backward. As a young battery commander, I had a First Sergeant who was about the same age as my grandfather . . . I learned a lot from him.
Irish_Dem
(78,343 posts)Our enemies have a military top down power structure, troops in the field cannot make decisions
which are made by officers sitting in a safe field tent away from the front line.
When the Allies landed on Normandy Beach the German generals watched helplessly and could
do little. They had to get permission from Hitler to move troops from other parts of Europe to stop the Allies.
But Hitler was sleeping with orders not to be awakened.
Military troops out in the field experience changing conditions, often rapidly changing conditions.
American NCOs have the ability, training, permission to make decisions out in the field.
This gives the US a big combat edge.
Interestingly China and Russia keep trying to replicated our NCO military system and for
various reasons they cannot do it.
KS Toronado
(22,331 posts)and those who dare to question him, he'll hurt them every way he can think of.
Irish_Dem
(78,343 posts)And taking away Top Brass's best judgment.
He is creating an atmosphere where everyone is going to second guess themselves and fear reprisal.
This is why Russia and China cannot get an NCO system going in their military.
No one wants to make a decision and lose their rank and face court martial.
soldierant
(9,182 posts)if 2nd Lts - and other officers, would dimply treat all enlisted, NCO or not, as human beings - they would not run into issues like this (and they would possibly also never get a painful inoculation.)
Irish_Dem
(78,343 posts)When you are flying combat the last thing you need are mechanical difficulties.
So my USAF career officer father was always in awe of them and gave them a lot of respect.
Without them there would be no Air Force.
Most people don't realize that for every USAF plane in the air, there are thousands of
other troops acting as support and keeping everything running smoothly.
Many of them enlisted.
When I was an AF kid, we loved the lower ranked airmen. They were so kind to us.
We were stationed on overseas bases during the Viet Nam war and the fathers were gone
all the time flying combat in VN. The airmen kept everything going on the base.
Well the kids scattered too when a USAF Sgt with a lot of stripes came into the room.
The top Sgts were of the mindset that if the USAF wanted the men to have kids they would
have issued them.
soldierant
(9,182 posts)I was in the USMC myself. I was taught in Officer Basic that NCO were the backbone of the Corps. It probably is the most obvious in the Air Force - anyone can grasp the importance of the planes staying in the air. But it's true for all. If all officers aren't told it in basic, they should be - some probably will still not grasp it, sadly.
When I was returning to the US after an overseas tour, I was collecting my records to take with me, and as I was leaving medical, I asked where dental was then, since it had moved. The Corpsman (if I recall correctly an E5) said, "It's in the back of this building. I'll show you." I said something to the effect that I thought I could find it from his information and that he must have more important things to do, to which he replied, "It's my pleasure, Ma'am. You have always treated us like human beings." When I said "Well, yes, that's what you are," he advised me that not everyone thought that. And I'm afraid he was correct.
Irish_Dem
(78,343 posts)officer or enlisted.
Sometimes the kids would repeat things heard at school and my father would give a lecture about it.
The Air Force is a big wheel with thousands of cogs which keep it running.
If any of the cogs can't function because they are badly treated the entire damn wheel doesn't turn the way it should.
He also said when you are in combat it doesn't matter who has your back and saves your life.
Every one counts.
People flying combat don't have to worry about their families, the commissary workers keep their families fed.
The teachers educate their children. The base commander keeps the base running, etc.
My Dad would have liked your style and agreed with you!
The AF mechanics in WWII for example were magicians. I recently ran into a man whose father was a
mechanic in WWII in the Burma Hump theater, where my Dad was a young tail gunner at the same time!
I asked this man how in the world did the mechanics find parts out in the middle of nowhere to keep the planes flying.
He said the guys made some of the parts the best they could. And anytime they heard of a plane going down,
ours or the enemy, they took long jeep rides and took every part they could scrounge. Their sole mission in life
was to keep America's planes in the air and by god they did.
I also am in awe of the stories I read a out the USMC and Army NCOs who are out in the field, leading troops in horrific battle conditions who are born leaders, so smart, brave, clever.
Russia and China keep trying to replicate American NCO system and just cannot do it.
No one seems to be able to do it.
As I said as kids on small remote working Air Force bases overseas we loved the young airmen who were so kind to us.
I know there were airman risking their lives in combat conditions, but we had the ones who would try to make our lives a bit better because conditions were not always great for us. We had no American TV except a few hours of US news
but they would broadcast some kid's programs for us.
And when we were on lockdown due to typhoons hitting the island they would play I love Lucy
and the like all day and all night for us on the base TV station. In this kind of dangerous situation
the men all had to fly the airplanes and themselves to a safe location and left the woman and children behind.
Ha, the men and airplanes were worth a lot of money, we weren't. Anyway our mothers played cards and drank Typhoon punch and the kids stayed up all night watching the TV shows the airmen scrounged up for us somehow! We were so happy.
Whenever I happen to see a one or two stripe airman even today I want to hug him!
Joinfortmill
(19,677 posts)Married one.
MarineCombatEngineer
(17,207 posts)but I did hear about one incident where a Lt. had a grenade thrown at him but failed to detonate.
marble falls
(69,868 posts)MarineCombatEngineer
(17,207 posts)very interesting read.
Luckily for me, I had level headed Lt.'s during my 2 tours, no problems there, my 2nd tour, I was already a Sgt. and the Lt. made sure that I was in on the nuts and bolts of any ops we were conducting.
marble falls
(69,868 posts)MarineCombatEngineer
(17,207 posts)marble falls
(69,868 posts)MarineCombatEngineer
(17,207 posts)and that's all I remember.
marble falls
(69,868 posts)MarineCombatEngineer
(17,207 posts)comms. and standing up during firefight separated the vets from the FNG's.
SomewhereInTheMiddle
(600 posts)My father tells a story that when he was in his last year in high school in 1959, he applied for West Point. His father had been an Army doc in WWII (now buried in Arlington) and his family had a tradition of service in the military.
He says that they brought applicants to a central place for a day of testing. He did well in the morning but ate a big meal for lunch and fell asleep during the afternoon. Needless to say, he did not pass and did not go to West Point.
He was thankful for this as he says he wanted to be a General and to him that meant going into the infantry. So, he would have graduated as a 2LT in the Infantry in 1963 and likely would have ended up in Vietnam as one of those 16-minute butter bars - whether form the enemy or his own troops I leave unexplored. And I never would have been born.
I have many doubts as to the truth of this whole story, but he was of that age and there was a tradition of service in his father's generation. So, I am willing to let any embellishments pass.
Years later when I was a prof at the Army War College, I met a few Vietnam-era vets, already retired from active duty and there as post-service academics. I have trouble picturing my Dad in their place.
Thank you and all the others who did serve for your service.
calimary
(88,635 posts)It makes phrase mans inhumanity to man pop up rather glaringly in my mind.
marble falls
(69,868 posts)... that literally risked their lives needlessly by someone with stroke and an ego driven lust for glory and no consideration for the troops.
Desperate situations author desperate actions.
TheRickles
(3,097 posts)This won't change how I feel about Hegseth, but I'm curious to know whether he even checked on the accuracy of such an off-the-wall criticism of Kelly. Sheesh.
Happy Hoosier
(9,318 posts)The top row is certainly the proper top row and in the proper order.
The second row should certainly be below the first. I can't make out the other two rows.
Wounded Bear
(63,603 posts)He's shit talking.
Captain Zero
(8,650 posts)Nt
maxrandb
(17,056 posts)It is by regulation that they overlap like that. In most cases, all you can see below the first row are the medals themselves, not the color of the ribbon. Additionally, how you wear them is based on the total number. Your first row could contain 4, or 5 medals that overlap. If you just have 6, you wear two rows of three. Kelly, as a Captain/O6, pilot, who served in combat and wears a Command pin, probably has 20-30 medals.
You do this, because if you didn't, your medals would hang down to your nuts.
Finally, you also have awards (ribbons) that have no corresponding medals. Those are not included in your medal rack for dress uniforms, bur can be worn on the right breast of your uniform. In each case, the medals and the ribbons go from highest to lowest precedence, from your heart out.
Somebody should ask Kegsbreath where he wears his Ranger Insignia...oh...that's right, HE NEVER FUCKING EARNED IT!
ecstatic
(34,990 posts)and playing to an audience of one plus the millions of dumbass maggots. A bully's goal is to humiliate and belittle you. Has nothing to do with facts most of the time.
C_U_L8R
(48,622 posts)Is he simply that dimwitted and repugnant?
Ray Bruns
(5,834 posts)
3catwoman3
(28,313 posts)In the interest of economical word use - Yes.
the nelm
(223 posts)lapfog_1
(31,489 posts)of the actual event. You usually notice this when there is some sort of writing on people's t-shirts or sweatshirts or signs in the background.
I didn't see the photo in question... but that is likely the source of the stupidity on the right.
Not to mention that Kegsbreath isn't qualified to even be on latrine duty for Mark Kelly.
MarineCombatEngineer
(17,207 posts)but Kegsbreath is too fucking stupid to realize that, instead, he goes on an alcohol soaked rant about something he knows nothing about.
This is about to get even worse for Kegsbreath and Pedonald.
Attilatheblond
(7,924 posts)But, the drunk had to have something to yammer about
Jerry2144
(3,116 posts)Those medals looked to be in the correct order of precedence and correct placement for the choker whites. Everything looked perfect on the uniform. But dont you expect that from a full-bird captain who happens to be a test pilot and an astronaut? Sloppy gets people hurt or killed.
lapfog_1
(31,489 posts)Kegsbreath is either a complete moron ( probably ) or POSSIBLY if the medals were reversed, it was because a mirror image being published. I haven't seen the photo in question. I would expect Mark Kelly to not make any mistakes like that with his uniform.
Belay that. Kegsbreath is a complete moron. Completely FUBAR.
MarineCombatEngineer
(17,207 posts)too fucking stupid and think their stupidity is brilliance.
Walleye
(43,393 posts)3catwoman3
(28,313 posts)...arrogant, alcohol-soaked, smug package.
maxrandb
(17,056 posts)is like watching a dog work a Trigonometry equation, while 30% of the people and the entire Press try to convince you that the dog is a genius.
Jerry2144
(3,116 posts)And the medals would be correct. However, the Korrupt Korpulent Koprolite seems to only hire people who make him look like the smartest person in the room. That means he only hires people with the IQ of dryer lint or used chewing gum.
Thats my theory. And it seems to fit when you look at his cabinet. Ive seen HAZMAT cabinets with more leadership skills than those peeled
Bettie
(19,157 posts)Hegseth is.
Sounds like he's jealous of people with actual accomplishments.
NoMoreRepugs
(11,745 posts)sop
(17,040 posts)but you cant even display your uniform correctly...Your medals are out of order & rows reversed. When/if you are recalled to active duty, itll start with a uniform inspection." - Hegseth's tweet
So the next Democratic president and his SecDef can recall Pete to active duty, it'll start with being court-martialed for ordering the murder of innocent civilians.
rampartd
(3,212 posts)Walleye
(43,393 posts)lastlib
(27,266 posts)And they can rot there together.
travelingthrulife
(3,994 posts)Norbert
(7,490 posts)Irish_Dem
(78,343 posts)He is also diminishing the merit of Kelly's medals by belittling the placement.
Hegseth is trying to belittle Kelly's rank and valor.
Walleye
(43,393 posts)Irish_Dem
(78,343 posts)When troops know their rank, medals, pension can be taken in the blink of an eye,
and face court martial for following the law, there is no morale.
With no morale you don't have troops who will risk their lives.
Walleye
(43,393 posts)We are Americans, we dont automatically follow orders
Irish_Dem
(78,343 posts)Walleye
(43,393 posts)Irish_Dem
(78,343 posts)It is imploding from within.
Our enemies are ecstatic.
Norbert
(7,490 posts)Why should they? The trump cabal are doing their work for them.
Walleye
(43,393 posts)Irish_Dem
(78,343 posts)Putin destroyed the world's strongest, most powerful democracy and did not fire a shot or drop a bomb.
Putin is an evil genius.
Walleye
(43,393 posts)Irish_Dem
(78,343 posts)Courts, judges, supreme court, congress, attorneys, colleges, businesses, military, media, etc etc.
All caved right away.
Walleye
(43,393 posts)Irish_Dem
(78,343 posts)Americans no longer give a damn about their country.
It is all about the money.
"Yes, and we're not being destroyed by an enemy, that's the scary part"
Disagree. These fucks in charge are most definitely the enemy.
Walleye
(43,393 posts)HariSeldon
(533 posts)...not to realize the rank of Captain in the US Navy is O-6, commensurate to a full Colonel in the US Army, a rank which Hegseth never achieved.
Irish_Dem
(78,343 posts)I was an USAF kid and growing up even we knew the USN ranks were different from ours.
We knew as USN Captain was a full bull colonel.
3catwoman3
(28,313 posts)Our base hospital was on the small side, and we did not have any specialists. If something was outside our capabilities, we'd usually call down to the big hospital at the Yokosuka navy base. When I'd announce myself as "Captain B" and say I needed to speak with whomever, the young enlisted navy folk would always say, "Yes, ma'am. Right away, ma'am!" I did not bother to explain that I wasn't a navy captain -
Army and AF captain is O-3.
Irish_Dem
(78,343 posts)My mistake will change it.
That is funny the Navy bending over backwards for you thinking you were a Colonel.
3catwoman3
(28,313 posts)...was much better than ours. I usually paid by check. It was customary to have your rank included with your name on your checks. Once, when writing the check to pay for my purchases, I heard the young lady running the cash register whisper to her colleague, "Isn't she awfully young to be a captain?" Again, I said nothing.
Irish_Dem
(78,343 posts)We could clearly see the Navy BXs had a lot more goods, much larger, nicer, etc.,
than the USAF BX's.
We would complain to our Dad (active duty Air Force) and he would explain that the Navy
could carry a lot of stuff in their ships. The AF only had airplanes.
That is so funny the Navy kept thinking you were a colonel.
Did they think that even when they saw you in uniform?
3catwoman3
(28,313 posts)They never saw me in uniform. When I'd reach out regarding pediatric health care situations, it was only ever phone interaction, and when we'd go there to shop, we were in civvies.
Whoever chooses clothing, especially ties for military exchanges has absolutely terrible taste. Incredible fugly ties. That was true back in the late 1970s, when I was in, was true all thru my husband's 20 years in the AF, and is still true when we make the occasional retiree trip to Great Lakes Naval Air Station in the Chicago area. And the exchange managers never put stuff that isn't selling well on sale - the same ugly things hang on the racks for months, if not years.
Irish_Dem
(78,343 posts)I suspect some military contractor, retired male military, sits in a cubicle
on a military base and randomly picks out the cheapest clothing he can find for the base exchanges.
And the ugliest.
haele
(14,934 posts)He's reacting to the rank he hears - only in the Navy (and Coast Guard), Captains are full Birds (O-6)
In his limited experience, a Captain is an O-3, and he made O-4, so he made higher rank, and he doesn't care (much) about a silly old Ribbon board, no, no - he doesn't...(Snicker)...
Irish_Dem
(78,343 posts)I was an USAF kid and even we knew the Navy had different ranks and a Navy Captain was a Colonel.
kairos12
(13,438 posts)Thank you.
demmiblue
(39,027 posts)AllaN01Bear
(28,190 posts)niyad
(128,910 posts)A real military officer, unlike whatever the hell you were/are.
Also, you fucking jerk. In case you thought you were pulling rank on him, kindly remember that the rank of Navy Captain is equivalent to an army colonel, so he outranks you, you ignorant, arrogant, drunken embarrassment.
Javaman
(64,971 posts)sop
(17,040 posts)progressoid
(52,405 posts)I'd call him an asshole but that would be an insult to assholes.
SSJVegeta
(2,090 posts)maxrandb
(17,056 posts)Last edited Tue Nov 25, 2025, 10:42 AM - Edit history (1)
Reminds me of an officer I worked for.
One of those guys you could put in a tailored suit, and 20 minutes later, it would look like it came off the rack at Value City. He developed a 5 o'clock shadow around noon.
One day we were doing a Dress Blues inspection. I was a Chief, he was a LTjg. I looked at his ribbons and something didn't seem right. Then it hit me. I said; "sir, you're wearing 2 Sea Service Deployment Ribbbons".
He said: "yes Chief, I earned 2".
rampartd
(3,212 posts)but could have been any of the asst engineers.
wolfie001
(6,633 posts)He can go fuck the hell off. A bit more than half the country hates him. I hope his liver fails. Hope he keeps imbibing.
Clouds Passing
(6,647 posts)MarineCombatEngineer
(17,207 posts)Walleye
(43,393 posts)Show us an example of how good order and discipline has been undermined. Or shut up. Trumps ego has been undermined thats it. Or just a system is not based on innuendo
Martin Eden
(15,222 posts)I have little doubt Mark Kelly and the other five brave Democratic veterans expected this kind of verbal assault from Trump, Hegseth, and other regime mouthpieces.
They not only saw standing up for Constitutional and military law as their duty, but as good political strategy as well.
When you shine a spotlight on a den of rats, the rats come scurrying out and reveal themselves for what they are.
Dyedinthewoolliberal
(16,176 posts)when the phrase 'chicken shit' was coined. That is a chicken shit remark if there ever was one............
Randomthought
(977 posts)And take out what brain he has leftover
3catwoman3
(28,313 posts)Mr. Ected
(9,710 posts)Than any Foxhole that Pete Hegseth has shared.
democrank
(12,014 posts)around the word captain. Such a POS military authority that man is.
Mark Kelly is a true hero and a true patriot
.terms that I will never use to describe Hegseth or Trump.
maxrandb
(17,056 posts)As a great Shipmate of mine used to say when shit went sideways on the ship; "Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore".
The Secretary of Defense is x-ing like a Middle School mean girl, with fantasies of having a distinguished full-bird Captain and sitting Senator with a Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit and the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat "V" for "valor during combat" times 2!, stand for a fucking uniform inspection?!
"Eff" is too nice a word.
flashman13
(1,821 posts)Here are the facts. Hegseth was a "Captain" in the National Guard which is an O-3. He got a courtesy bump in rank to "Major" when he retired from the Guard. Senator Kelly was in the Navy with the rank of Captain. In the Navy the rank of Captain is equivalent to the Army rank of Colonel which is an O-6. Kelly is significantly senior to Hegseth in service time. I won't even bother with Kelly's service record other than to mention that he has 375 carrier landings to his credit which makes him the real deal amongst the manly men and the many exception female aviators that fly off of carriers.
No matter how you slice it, Senator Kelly significantly out ranks "Captain" Hegseth.
Dave Bowman
(6,359 posts)What a pathetic little man.
BootinUp
(50,675 posts)Rcanouse
(8 posts)Maj. Frank Burns from MASH
MarineCombatEngineer
(17,207 posts)Welcome to DU.
LR3
(104 posts)they better hold every last one of these little fucks fully accountable. Not just Orange Anus, but Hegseth, Noem, Miller, and Homan in particular. Also Musk and Thiel for perpetrating the largest security breech and theft of data in history.
I'd love to throw Vought int here, too, but I think he has been too smart to commit any obvious felonies like the rest.
dweller
(27,629 posts)But this is from a fb post of Kellys quote

✌🏻
travelingthrulife
(3,994 posts)struggle4progress
(125,229 posts)Blumancru
(103 posts)gohuskies
(1,212 posts)This guy is such an incompetent tool. He should have been indicted and tossed out on his butt for improper use of Signal at the very dawn of his corrupt oversight of the Dept of Defense. Sen. Kelly has more integrity than anyone in tRump's orbit.
Joinfortmill
(19,677 posts)MorbidButterflyTat
(3,995 posts)Drunkard lowlife scumbag coward.
GoodRaisin
(10,664 posts)BlueWaveNeverEnd
(12,325 posts)Harker
(17,195 posts)MarineCombatEngineer
(17,207 posts)Harker
(17,195 posts)Norrrm
(3,573 posts)Emrys
(8,816 posts)Mblaze
(898 posts)Spend another year in space rather than have to deal with Pete Hegseth.
hadEnuf
(3,483 posts)That drunken embarrassment to the military isn't even qualified to shine Kelly's shoes.
Absolutely disgusting.
mdbl
(7,902 posts)They are destructive to our entire society.
Bob_in_VA
(126 posts)All Cabinet Officials are subject to impeachment, just like the Prez and VP.
Coldwater
(707 posts)Hassler
(4,685 posts)Doing what drunken posers do.
LogDog75
(1,005 posts)Military personnel take their medals seriously and spend time making sure they are correctly arranged. They either do it themselves or there is a company that will put your medals/ribbons on a rack in the correct order. I've done both.
Note: Medals aren't usually worn on a duty uniform. Instead, a ribbon representing the award is worn. Medals are usually displayed on special/formal occasions such as a Dining-In/Dinging-Out, official functions, portraits, etc..
I used to make my own racks buying the ribbons and then spending an hour or more ensuring each one was correctly made. For multiple award of a medal/ribbon you'd put a "oak cluster(s)" on the ribbon. The clusters would come with two prongs to attache to the ribbon and I would cut them off and glue them to the ribbon. I had to measure with a metric ruler to center one or more clusters accurately. People, especially in the higher ranks of NCOs and officers, paid close attention to their ribbons ensuring they were correctly displayed.
So Hegseth, shut your pie hole.Your ignorance is, once again, showing.
DFW
(59,487 posts)Hegseth blabbed on Fox Noise while inebriated and flew nothing more sophisticated than a kite.
And yet Hegseth wants to tell the country he's qualified to pass judgment on Mark? Did he arrive at this decision before or after climbing down that beanstalk with his pal, Jack (last name Daniels, no doubt)?
LetMyPeopleVote
(173,289 posts)