When the Military Loses Faith in the President (w/ Mark Hertling)
Related videos
Ask JVL Preview: Democrats Could Win the House and Still Lose It. Here's the Math.
The Bulwark
26.8k views
BREAKING: Thomas Massie Loses Primary Against Trump-Backed Challenger
The Bulwark
76.3k views
The President Wants You to Read These Dirty Texts
The Bulwark
112.2k views
Our President Just Let a Foreign Dictator Override the U.S. Military. Again.
The Bulwark
25.5k views
Tom Nichols: There’s Something Wrong with the President | The Bulwark Podcast LIVE
The Bulwark
159.0k views
Obama’s Joke Exposed The Biggest Scandal in Presidential History
The Bulwark
351.7k views
Every Move Trump Makes Is Failing
The Bulwark
145.0k views
Hegseth’s Takeover of Military Newspaper (w/ Jacqueline Smith) | Command Post
The Bulwark
43.4k views
Gen Z Isn’t Protesting Anymore. Here’s Why
The Bulwark
41.4k views
BREAKING: Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz; Delusional Leavitt Presser
The Bulwark
283.8k views
Admiral Holsey's Early Retirement Signals Deepening Civil-Military Tension
Understand the critical structural implications of Admiral Holsey's abrupt departure from SOUTHCOM amid controversial Caribbean operations. Learn why high-level military resignations highlight a dangerous lack of strategic direction from civilian leadership.
Short Summary
- Admiral Alvin Holsey, commander of Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), announced his retirement less than a year into his post, a highly unusual occurrence for a four-star combatant commander.
- Holsey reportedly expressed discomfort with the legality or wisdom of recent administration-backed strikes against drug smuggling boats in the Caribbean.
- This event mirrors a pattern of over a dozen senior officers (three and four stars) leaving key roles early under the current administration, suggesting systemic civil-military friction.
- The lack of a formal National Security Strategy (NSS) forces commanders to rely on the president's "daily wishes," causing anxiety and potential deviations from established military law.
- If Holsey’s resignation stands, he risks retiring as a three-star admiral, forfeiting the stature earned through years of service.
This discussion analyzes the significance of Admiral Holsey’s early retirement from his role overseeing Latin America (SOUTHCOM). General Hertling explains the direct chain of command structure and contrasts recent departures with historical instances of senior officers challenging policy. The core concern is whether operations, like the Caribbean boat strikes, are being executed without proper legality review or coordination across government agencies (military/CIA).
Unlock all features
FREE: Get instant access to 10 AI summaries, chats, or transcripts per day.
Unlock all features
FREE: Get instant access to 10 AI summaries, chats, or transcripts per day.
Unlock all features
FREE: Get instant access to 10 AI summaries, chats, or transcripts per day.
Unlock all features
FREE: Get instant access to 10 AI summaries, chats, or transcripts per day.
Unlock all features
FREE: Get instant access to 10 AI summaries, chats, or transcripts per day.
Related videos
Ask JVL Preview: Democrats Could Win the House and Still Lose It. Here's the Math.
The Bulwark
26.8k views
BREAKING: Thomas Massie Loses Primary Against Trump-Backed Challenger
The Bulwark
76.3k views
The President Wants You to Read These Dirty Texts
The Bulwark
112.2k views
Our President Just Let a Foreign Dictator Override the U.S. Military. Again.
The Bulwark
25.5k views
Tom Nichols: There’s Something Wrong with the President | The Bulwark Podcast LIVE
The Bulwark
159.0k views
Obama’s Joke Exposed The Biggest Scandal in Presidential History
The Bulwark
351.7k views
Every Move Trump Makes Is Failing
The Bulwark
145.0k views
Hegseth’s Takeover of Military Newspaper (w/ Jacqueline Smith) | Command Post
The Bulwark
43.4k views
Gen Z Isn’t Protesting Anymore. Here’s Why
The Bulwark
41.4k views
BREAKING: Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz; Delusional Leavitt Presser
The Bulwark
283.8k views
Top Comments (10)
This is the first time I learned that over a dozen Senior high ranking generals have retired or resigned just this year. The media needs to be covering this.
US NAVY Four Star Admiral Alvin Holsey, resigning his command and taking retirement before he planned, is a HUGE RED FLAG. Holsey is one of the most respected Admirals in the NAVY today. This should wake up senior military leadership. This is deeply disturbing.
There is honor in our military. Sadly, very little in our politicians
I served with Gen. Hertling in 2003 Iraq, LSA Dogwood, 1st AD. Not fun times or fun place, let me tell you. Gen. Hertling was a great leader and got us through it. I have no-doubt he remembers the pain of that place. 🫵🏻🫡🇺🇸 I hope ppl believe what he is saying. Please …!!! realize how serious all these actions being made by this administration are going to hurt our country. Just not now but for decades…🤦🏻♂️🙄Great work on the channel , keep it up team👍🏻🫡🇺🇸
God bless this Admiral. I hope going forward he has a great and happy life.
Thanks Bill! And to those in the military who’ve taken the stand for honesty and integrity - thank you!
General Hertling is a man to listen to. When Russia invaded Ukraine the General explained why it would fail in a series of 12 tweets. His analysis was spot on.
May individual integrity outweigh the temporary disgrace. I’m grateful for everyone who has the courage to do the right thing.
Thank you Mr. Hertling for speaking on Morehouse Men!!!
It's obvious that he is against the killing of fishermen! Kudos to him!🇺🇸
Unlock the Data Inside
Turn Videos into Knowledge
- Get FREE 10/day: transcripts, summaries, chats
- Chat with videos, export text & PDF
- $1 free API credit for RAG, chatbots & research
Free forever plan • All features unlocked
Top Comments (10)
This is the first time I learned that over a dozen Senior high ranking generals have retired or resigned just this year. The media needs to be covering this.
US NAVY Four Star Admiral Alvin Holsey, resigning his command and taking retirement before he planned, is a HUGE RED FLAG. Holsey is one of the most respected Admirals in the NAVY today. This should wake up senior military leadership. This is deeply disturbing.
There is honor in our military. Sadly, very little in our politicians
I served with Gen. Hertling in 2003 Iraq, LSA Dogwood, 1st AD. Not fun times or fun place, let me tell you. Gen. Hertling was a great leader and got us through it. I have no-doubt he remembers the pain of that place. 🫵🏻🫡🇺🇸 I hope ppl believe what he is saying. Please …!!! realize how serious all these actions being made by this administration are going to hurt our country. Just not now but for decades…🤦🏻♂️🙄Great work on the channel , keep it up team👍🏻🫡🇺🇸
God bless this Admiral. I hope going forward he has a great and happy life.
Thanks Bill! And to those in the military who’ve taken the stand for honesty and integrity - thank you!
General Hertling is a man to listen to. When Russia invaded Ukraine the General explained why it would fail in a series of 12 tweets. His analysis was spot on.
May individual integrity outweigh the temporary disgrace. I’m grateful for everyone who has the courage to do the right thing.
Thank you Mr. Hertling for speaking on Morehouse Men!!!
It's obvious that he is against the killing of fishermen! Kudos to him!🇺🇸