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Articles by Dave Petri
Supporting the troops isn't the same as supporting the war
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Supporting the troops isn't the same as supporting the war | Opinion Original
July 31, 2026, 5:08 a.m. ET “Either you do or you don’t.” That was Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s verdict on whether members of Congress support America’s warfighters during a contentious July 21 U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee hearing. Yet senators from both parties had just demonstrated what responsible oversight requires: distinguishing the performance of American troops from the decisions of those who sent them into battle. Democratic Sen.
Dave Petri
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David Petri: The ballot box Is where we test our belief in the Declaration Original
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I was a Navy commander. Trump's approach to military deaths is concerning. Original
April 7, 2026, 5:05 a.m. ET When Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth invokes “no quarter, no mercy” and prays for "overwhelming violence of action" against those who "deserve no mercy" during a prayer service at the Pentagon, the country is hearing more than wartime bluster. It is hearing a dangerous view of power that confuses cruelty with strength, and risks replacing the language of disciplined force with the language of vengeance.
If chaplains are ‘officers second,’ which staff corps officers are next? Original
As a Navy line officer, I learned quickly that you cannot accomplish the mission without staff corps officers. Doctors, lawyers, civil engineers and chaplains are commissioned professionals whose expertise is woven into the command structure itself. The Chaplain Corps, , is part of that tradition. That is why Secretary Pete Hegseth’s recent directive is deeply concerning. The defense secretary directed military chaplains to keep their rank but no longer display it on their uniforms.
When ‘My Way’ Becomes Policy: A 'Caine Mutiny' Reading of Donald Trump’s First Year
“There are four ways of doing things: the right way; the wrong way; the Navy way; and my way. So long as they do things my way, we’ll get along.” Lt. Cmdr. Queeg, portrayed by Humphrey Bogart in the 1954 film The Caine Mutiny. President Donald Trump speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Maryland, on Saturday, February 22, 2025.
US 'drug boat' strikes don't just cross a line, they're legally indefensible | Opinion Original
When the United States began sinking boats on suspicion of drug trafficking – with no warning, no arrests and no evidence recovered – we crossed a line. These so-called narco-terrorist strikes may be politically popular, but they are legally indefensible. Now, reports indicate that the British government has stopped sharing intelligence with Washington, DC, over fears that the U.S. operations violate international law.
Rural America Relies on PBS and NPR. Red State Voters Will Feel the Loss.
I grew up enjoying “Sesame Street,” “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” and other family-friendly programs on my local public media stations in Erie, Pennsylvania. Today, I help lead the community advisory board for my public radio station in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. I’ve seen firsthand how public media can be the lifeblood of communities, especially in places where it may be the only trustworthy source of TV and radio news, emergency information and entertainment.
Trump's War Against PBS and NPR Is Wrong
Why Conservatives Should Support Public Media: Like many in my generation, my first experience with public media came from childhood staples like Sesame Street and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Growing up near Erie, PA, my parents valued our local PBS station (WQLN), contributing what they could during fundraising drives. Later, as a teenager, I volunteered at a pledge drive—my first real glimpse into the community’s support for public broadcasting. Over the years, my appreciation deepened.
What Is the US Trade Representative Hiding on Tariff Calculations?
A little over two weeks ago, the Trump administration unveiled its reciprocal tariff policy with great fanfare, including a technical explanation hosted on the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR’s) website. That page, which detailed the mathematical model used to justify the tariffs, has since vanished. The now-dead link redirects to a generic landing page.
Sharing Classified Information on Signal Should Alarm Every American
The country was lucky this time. But luck is not a national security strategy. Dave Petri · Follow Published in The National Security Leaders Notebook · 5 min read · -- I received my security clearance before beginning nuclear engineering training with the Navy in 1988 and maintained it throughout my military career. Depending on the assignment, my clearance level and access fluctuated between Secret and Top Secret.
Elon Musk's DOGE Could Be on a Path to Failure
When given an order in the Navy, I demonstrated my understanding by repeating it back to my superior. This fundamental command-and-control principle ensures that directives are correctly understood and executed as intended. Over the past two weeks, it has become evident that Elon Musk and the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have failed this basic test.
Op-ed: I'm a veteran and will #VoteTheOutdoors on election day
Dave Petri is a retired Navy commander and the owner of Cynosura Consulting, a marketing and branding agency. Courtesy. I am a veteran and an outdoor enthusiast who has spent the last 10 years working in the outdoor industry. Without a doubt, our industry is the first in which I experienced the same level of camaraderie and commitment to purpose as I did during my 22 years in the Navy on active and reserve duty. This shared ethos is not surprising.
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