Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Pete Hegseth

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Pete Hegseth made an impact.

Pete Hegseth is an American author, former television presenter, and former Army National Guard officer. He is described as currently serving as the 29th United States Secretary of Defense since January 2025.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

June 2003: Commissioned as Second Lieutenant

In June 2003, Hegseth was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army after graduating from Princeton.

2003: Commissioned as Infantry Officer

In 2003, Hegseth was commissioned as an infantry officer in the Minnesota Army National Guard and served at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

2004: Completed basic training at Fort Benning

In 2004, Hegseth completed his basic training at Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia, and served at Guantanamo Bay detention camp.

July 2005: Returned to Bear Stearns and Volunteered in Iraq War

In July 2005, Hegseth returned to Bear Stearns, but shortly after, he volunteered in the Iraq War as an infantry officer.

August 2006: Began Working at Manhattan Institute

In August 2006, Hegseth began working at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research.

May 2007: Appeared at McCain Fundraiser

In May 2007, Hegseth appeared at a presidential campaign fundraiser for Arizona senator John McCain.

2008: Supported John McCain for President

In 2008, Vets for Freedom began supporting John McCain for president, and Hegseth criticized Barack Obama's policies.

2011: Commissioned into Minnesota Army National Guard as Captain

In 2011, Hegseth was commissioned into the Minnesota Army National Guard as a captain and volunteered to teach in Afghanistan.

February 2012: Entered Republican Primary for US Senate

In February 2012, Hegseth decided to enter the Republican primary for the United States Senate election in Minnesota.

June 2014: Became Regular Fox News Contributor

In June 2014, Hegseth became a regular contributor to Fox News.

2014: Became Fox News Contributor

In 2014, Hegseth began working as a contributor for Fox News.

2014: Promoted to Major

In 2014, after completing his tour in Afghanistan, Hegseth was promoted to major and enlisted in the Individual Ready Reserve.

2016: Hosted on TheBlaze and Fox & Friends Weekend

In 2016, Hegseth briefly hosted on TheBlaze and then regularly hosted Fox & Friends Weekend.

2016: Supported Donald Trump's Campaign

In 2016, Hegseth supported Donald Trump's presidential campaign and subsequently became an advisor.

2016: Publication of In the Arena

In 2016, Pete Hegseth published his memoir, In the Arena.

January 2017: Official Co-host of Fox & Friends Weekend

In January 2017, Hegseth became an official co-host of Fox & Friends Weekend.

2017: Co-host of Fox & Friends Weekend

From 2017, Hegseth became a co-host of Fox & Friends Weekend.

2017: Wrote Foreword to The Case against the Establishment

In 2017, Pete Hegseth wrote the foreword to The Case against the Establishment by Nick Adams and Dave Erickson.

The Case Against the Establishment

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2018: Hosted All-American New Year

In 2018, Hegseth hosted All-American New Year with Lisa Kennedy.

June 2019: Joined District of Columbia Army National Guard

In June 2019, Hegseth joined the District of Columbia Army National Guard as a traditional drilling service member.

2019: Hosted the special Battle in Bethlehem on Fox Nation

In 2019, Hegseth hosted the special Battle in Bethlehem on Fox Nation.

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May 2020: Release of American Crusade: Our Fight to Stay Free

In May 2020, Pete Hegseth released his book American Crusade: Our Fight to Stay Free.

American Crusade: Our Fight to Stay Free

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2020: Authored 'American Crusade'

In 2020, Hegseth wrote the book "American Crusade".

American Crusade: Our Fight to Stay Free

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2022: Hosted 'The Miseducation of America' on Fox Nation

In 2022, Hegseth hosted "The Miseducation of America" on Fox Nation, criticizing "the Left's educational agenda".

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2022: Co-authors Battle for the American Mind

In 2022, Pete Hegseth co-authored Battle for the American Mind: Uprooting a Century of Miseducation with David Goodwin.

Battle for the American Mind: Uprooting a Century of Miseducation

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2023: Hosted series Battle in the Holy Land and The Life of Jesus on Fox Nation

Hegseth hosted series Battle in the Holy Land and The Life of Jesus in 2023 on Fox Nation.

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January 2024: Resigned from Individual Ready Reserve

In January 2024, Hegseth resigned from the Individual Ready Reserve, citing the incident at Biden's inauguration in his book "The War on Warriors".

The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free

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June 2024: Publication of The War on Warriors

In June 2024, Pete Hegseth published his book The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free.

The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free

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November 12, 2024: Donald Trump named Hegseth as his nominee for secretary of defense

On November 12, 2024, Donald Trump nominated Pete Hegseth as secretary of defense after Tom Cotton declined the position. Hegseth subsequently ended his contract with Fox News, a move seen as Trump seeking a loyalist, though his experience was questioned. A sexual assault allegation from seven years prior surfaced, but Trump defended Hegseth, despite concerns from Republican senators and reports of financial mismanagement and alcohol issues.