BIGGEST CROWD FOR A PROMOTION CEREMONY EVER! PERIOD! We are sure that is what Sean Spicer would say about this week’s event where Pete Hegseth promoted him to Navy Captain. Spicer, a former White House press secretary, gained fame during the last Trump administration when some say he spectacularly exaggerated the size of the crowd that had gathered for his boss’ inauguration. On Tuesday, Hegseth traveled to the Army Navy Country club in Arlington, Virginia to officiate at Spicer’s swearing in. Spicer is in the Naval Reserves and we presume he will remain a weekend warrior while keeping his day jobs as a podcast co-host and conservative cable contributor. For this event, Spicer wore a Navy dress blue uniform – a better choice than the frilly green shirt and other odd outfits he donned during his tenure on “Dancing with the Stars” (which was even shorter than his time in the White House.) It is unclear why the ceremony was held at the country club rather than some place like – say the Pentagon -- but you can see some of the live pre-event coverage on Steve “Bannon’s War Room”.
NOT TO GET ALL HUNG UP about the civilian leadership of the U.S. Navy – but people keep pointing out odd things to us. Earlier we noted press reports that the Secretary of Defense/War Pete Hegseth fired the civilian chief of staff to the Secretary of the Navy. It seemed odd that – if firing were merited – the Secretary of the Navy John Phelan wasn’t the guy to do it. Now observers have spotted that the newly confirmed Under Secretary of the Navy, Hung Cao, posted on X yesterday photos of himself being sworn into office by Hegseth. Among the post-oath shots was one with members of the Cao clan and Hegseth, but nowhere to be seen was Secretary of the Navy Phelan. Phelan has been active on X today – posting photos from yesterday’s event in Norfolk marking the 250th birthday of the USN – and bragging about how lethal and deadly the Navy is, but so far, there has been dead silence from him about the arrival of his new top deputy.
AND THE HORSE YOU RODE IN ON: On October 1, The Kyiv Post reported that Russian forces have begun training assault teams to conduct combat on horseback. And the horses were getting training too – so as not to be spooked by gunfire and explosions on the battlefield. A Russian military blogger bragged on Telegram that “Horses see well at night, don’t need roads to accelerate on the final approach, and their instincts can, reportedly, help them avoid mines.” And he added: “I am sure we will soon witness the historic return of the Russian cavalry to the ranks.” On Saturday, video was posted online showing a Ukrainian drone appearing to eliminate a Russian cavalry soldier standing next to his trusty steed. Despite their instincts, apparently horses can’t avoid drones.
MAN OVERBOARD: As last week drew to a close on a (mostly) closed government, Politico reported that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired the civilian chief of staff for the Navy, Jon Harrison. At first blush, this just sounded like your typical Friday night firing. But then some folks started asking: if Harrison deserved the heave-ho, why wasn’t the Secretary of the Navy the one who tossed him over the side? The answer remains unclear. Politico said that the Pentagon confirmed Harrison’s departure with a spokesperson saying: “He will no longer serve as Chief of Staff to the Secretary of the Navy” adding “We are grateful for his service to the Department” (which apparently extends back only to early in the administration.) Harrison got deep-sixed just as the newly confirmed (and quotable) Under Secretary of the Navy, Hung Cao was coming aboard. We’ve seen no sign that Secretary of the Navy John Phelan, who is a power user of social media, has commented in any way. Pentagon insiders speculate that Hegseth relishes wielding an axe (despite some past mishaps) – and taking responsibility for the firing will send a signal to personnel throughout the service secretariats that he is more than ready to send them ashore.
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