Persistent distractions are feeding a climate of mistrust as the U.S. military faces wartime issues, including shortfalls of missile interceptors. Many current and former military leaders describe Pete Hegseth as a secretary of defense increasingly at war with the institution he runs.

For decades, secretaries of defense have largely sought to insulate the military from the country's divisive culture wars. Hegseth, more than any of his predecessors, has taken the opposite approach, bringing those fights directly into the Pentagon. There have been purges of senior military officers on a scale unlike anything in modern history. New restrictions limit where officers can study and what they can express in academic papers. Widespread polygraphs aim to ferret out leakers or intimidate those tempted to share sensitive information.

The turmoil comes as the extended war with Iran causes cascading strains on the force. Long deployments have sapped morale. Shortfalls of critical missile interceptors raise troubling questions about the military's ability to outlast Iran. Senior officers question whether Gen. Dan Caine, as the Joint Chiefs chairman, has protected the force from the culture war Hegseth is waging.

Hegseth has fired or blocked promotions of as many as 80 generals and admirals. Trusted mentors with decades-long careers have been purged without explanation. Key leadership positions remain unfilled for months, spurring quiet conversations among career officers about whether it is worth accepting promotions and continuing service.