In a speech on Thursday in North Carolina to soldiers of the 82nd Airborne Division, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth promised to bring back what he called the U.S. military’s “warrior ethos” and declared pay raises for paratroopers. Speaking during All American Week at Fort Bragg, Hegseth outlined President Donald Trump’s vision centered on combat readiness, merit-based standards, and investment in American warfighters. “We’re gonna take it back to the basics,” Hegseth stated. “We’re gonna restore the warrior ethos… and we are across our formations, a standard that’s set here every single day.”
According to the Department of Defense, Hegseth took the opportunity to reveal an increase in hazardous duty incentive pay, known as jump pay. It will see a rise from $150 to $200 per month for paratroopers, with jumpmasters now receiving an extra $150 on top of their existing pay. “For the first time in 25 years… we are increasing jump pay,” Hegseth announced. “Not only are we increasing jump pay, but… jumpmasters… are gonna receive an additional $150 a month in incentive pay.” He further added, “Here’s to our paratroopers, our jumpmasters, who do the difficult things in difficult places that most Americans can never imagine.”
Hegseth assured the crowd that troops are at the forefront of every major Pentagon decision. “Inside the corridors of the Pentagon, you are on our minds, with the decisions we make in budgets, in planning, in deployments, in orders, in reorganizations. We have you and your families in mind.” In his remarks, Hegseth shared a core defense strategy promoted by Trump: prioritize readiness, reject identity politics, and reassert American deterrence. “We will focus on readiness, on training, on warfighting, on accountability, on standards. Black, white, male, female, doesn’t matter. We’re gonna be colorblind and merit-based warfighters just like you are here in the 82nd.”
Drawing a contrast with previous administrations, Hegseth referenced global instability, including the war in Ukraine, the Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel, and the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. “Unfortunately, for a number of years, the world watched and wondered where American leadership and American strength was,” he lamented. “By putting America first, we will reestablish peace through strength.” Hegseth concluded by praising the legacy and future of the 82nd. “Like those who came before you, you keep showing the world the stuff you’re made of. Because we know you are ready for the important work that lies ahead.”
The Army office of Public Affairs did not immediately return Fox News Digital’s request for comment. Jasmine, a writer at Fox News Digital and a military spouse based in New Orleans, can be reached at jasmine.baehr@fox.com.
