Everything was ready for a Navy officer to take command of a new unit — a role that would have marked the height of her two-decade career and made her the first woman to lead a Naval Special Warfare command that oversees Navy SEALs, until decisions under Hegseth’s leadership abruptly changed her course.
A Trailblazing Navy Career Halted Under Hegseth’s Watch
A decorated leader, she ranked as the top captain in her class and received a Purple Heart after an IED blast wounded her during combat in Iraq. During her service with SEAL Team Six, she commanded one of the Navy’s toughest units.
In preparation for her promotion, the officer scheduled a July ceremony and sent invitations two months in advance. But two weeks before the event, Pentagon officials abruptly canceled her command through private calls, offering no written explanation or formal paperwork.
The Navy’s “up or out” rule forced her to retire once she lost that assignment, ending her career.
Many officers in the Naval Special Warfare community believe Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth ordered the cancellation and that her gender influenced the decision.
“A lot of us said she was the best man for the job,” recalled a retired SEAL who served with her. “There was no diversity push — she earned it.”
Her colleagues describe her as stronger than most men and say she met every physical requirement, completing weighted pull-ups and IRONMAN races. The command she was set to lead managed elite Navy SEAL recruitment, a highly visible and competitive role. Sources said the Pentagon didn’t want a woman representing that position under Hegseth’s leadership.
Hegseth’s Military Policies Leave Women Feeling Unwelcome
Officials offered differing reasons for the abrupt cancellation. Some said the officer wasn’t a SEAL, others claimed the role was under review. Many in the Navy called those explanations “unbelievable,” noting that canceling a command just days before it begins is almost unheard of.
To many, the incident highlights Hegseth’s growing influence on military culture and his resistance to women in leadership. Since taking over the Pentagon, Hegseth has replaced several top female officers, including Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the first woman to serve as Chief of Naval Operations. Her removal left the military without a single female four-star general.
He also shut down the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services, which supported female troops, and moved to end anonymous whistleblower reporting — a key protection for victims of harassment and assault.
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During a speech at Marine Corps Base Quantico in September, Hegseth claimed that previous administrations had “lowered standards” to make it easier for women to serve in combat. He pledged to restore “the highest male standard” for all fitness tests, saying, “If that means no women qualify, so be it.”
Many active-duty women say such remarks have made them feel unwanted and unsafe.
“I am genuinely fearful for women in uniform right now,” said retired Coast Guard commander Patti J. Tutalo. “We’ll see more harassment, bullying, and women leaving the service.”
One Army soldier recalled a superior telling her, “All you women are getting out now,” after Hegseth’s comments. Another officer said she’s now reconsidering her future in the military entirely.
A Culture Shift Fueling Fear and Frustration Across Ranks
Female servicemembers say Hegseth’s words and actions are reversing years of progress. In his 2024 book The War on Warriors, Hegseth argued that gender integration “confused the goals of war” and wrote that “we need moms — but not in the military.”
That viewpoint, women say, has emboldened some commanders and created a chilling effect across all branches.
“A lot of people in special operations like Hegseth because he talks tough,” said one Navy source. “But they don’t realize how damaging this is to morale and recruitment.”
Women have also noticed smaller changes that seem targeted at them, such as new grooming rules restricting hairstyles and nail colors. Black servicewomen and men say those regulations unfairly target people of color.
Experts warn that ending anonymous assault reporting could completely silence victims. Data from 2024 shows that service members filed more than one-third of all military sexual assault reports anonymously — a safeguard that Hegseth’s new policy direction may soon eliminate.
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The Pentagon continues to claim that women are “excited to serve” under Hegseth and President Donald Trump, but many troops say morale is dropping quickly.
“I love my job,” said an Army officer with more than ten years of service. “But if I leave, who will take my place?”
The Navy captain who lost her command now faces an abrupt end to her trailblazing career — a decision that has angered many across the ranks. “It’s ridiculous,” said her former SEAL teammate. “She’s tougher than most guys I know. Because of politics, the military is losing one of its best.”