“Send me”: Hegseth launches a military recruitment tour during the Iran war

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has come under fire for a military “Send Me Tour” that draws on biblical verses and Christian scripture to recruit new soldiershttps://t.co/AWURQYsrS2

— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) September 21, 2026

I don’t see a lot of Indians lining up to join the military.

Funny how that works

— BowTiedRanger (@BowTiedRanger) September 19, 2026

Hegseth extends Middle East deployments into 2027

https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/hegseth-extends-mideast-deployments-into-2027-escalating-strain-on-troops-c10fc533

The recruitment campaign is happening while the Pentagon is preparing for U.S. forces to remain in the Middle East well into next year.

U.S. troop deaths during Iran war exceed Pentagon count, Washington Post reports

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/us-troop-deaths-iran-war-exceed-pentagon-count-by-least-four-washington-2026-09-18/

The reported discrepancy over casualties adds another layer to a recruitment campaign being conducted during an active war. The higher figure remains an attributed Washington Post report, not an independently established Pentagon casualty count.

Hegseth swears in new recruits in Texas

https://www.defense.gov/

At the Austin Armed Forces Reserve Center, Hegseth administered the oath to more than a dozen Texas National Guard recruits and more than 30 federal recruits across the services. He told their families that recruits would be asked to take risks and do difficult things.

Hegseth launches “Send Me” at Texas A&M

https://www.dvidshub.net/video/1023671/hegseth-visits-texas-am-university

The official Defense Department video shows the Texas A&M stop, where Hegseth addressed the Corps of Cadets and promoted a military centered on combat readiness and what he calls a “warrior ethos.”