The Pentagon has quietly appointed several conservative veterans with large social media followers to civilian government positions, yet it has hardly publicly disclosed the details of their work or whether they will be paid. This group includes retired military officers Rob Manes, Kurt Schlicht, and Thomas Anderson. All three have publicly defended Defense Secretary Hegeses while criticizing journalists, professional officials, and other opponents of the Trump administration. Some internet commentators have joined the Pentagon Advanced Military Academy Task Force. The task force was set up to check the so-called “harmful” and “awakening” ideological issues within military academies. During their visit to the Army War College, they asked students and professors questions about senior military personnel and course content.

The Pentagon has quietly appointed several conservative veterans with large social media followers to civilian government positions, yet it has hardly publicly disclosed the details of their work or whether they will be paid. This group includes retired military officers Rob Manes, Kurt Schlicht, and Thomas Anderson. All three have publicly defended Defense Secretary Hegeses while criticizing journalists, professional officials, and other opponents of the Trump administration. Some internet commentators have joined the Pentagon Advanced Military Academy Task Force. The task force was set up to check the so-called “harmful” and “awakening” ideological issues within military academies. During their visit to the Army War College, they asked students and professors questions about senior military personnel and course content.