A new panel of civilian technology and political leaders will analyze the future of combat operations at the request of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. During a State of the Force address at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Hegseth appointed Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey, and Newt Gingrich to the study and unveiled FORTRESS America, a program to create self-powering bases with deep reserves of blood, medicine, fuel, and munitions. Other initiatives include Project Meridian, the Next Great American Base, an Office of Religious Affairs, and a new Autonomous Warfare Command that opens late next year.

The strategic shift follows a 20% reduction in senior officer positions—culling nearly 800 roles—by firing 10% of generals and admirals and eliminating another 10% of available slots by January 2027. Hegseth's overhaul and the creation of a drone command come as a seven-month conflict with Iran has depleted US air defenses and munitions, resulting in at least 19 American deaths and more than 800 wounded. Hegseth used the address to claim US forces had destroyed Iran's navy and air force, ending the era of the 'woke department.'