Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is set to embark on his first overseas trip next week, with planned stops in Germany and Poland to connect with U.S. troops stationed abroad. This visit underscores a clear priority for the new defense chief—focusing on the men and women serving on the front lines rather than engaging in high-profile diplomatic gatherings.
During a town hall meeting at the Pentagon on Friday, Hegseth outlined the key aspects of his upcoming trip, which will include attending a NATO defense ministers meeting in Brussels on Thursday. However, he made it clear that his time in Europe will be spent engaging with troops rather than attending the traditional networking circuits of global leadership.
Notably, Hegseth has opted to skip the Munich Security Conference—an annual event where defense officials, diplomats, and policymakers gather to discuss international security concerns. Instead, he plans to travel directly to Poland and Germany, focusing on military readiness and the well-being of U.S. forces stationed in the region.
Pete Hegseth kicked off his day in Germany training with the elite Green Berets of 1/10 SFG, one of the U.S. Army’s most formidable Special Forces units.
Never seen a US Secrtary of defense do this before . pic.twitter.com/I6OMMSU7tx
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) February 11, 2025
A significant aspect of the trip will be the involvement of his wife, Jennifer Hegseth, who will accompany him to meet with military families. Her itinerary includes visits to schools, faith groups, and childcare centers, ensuring that the support systems for military spouses and children remain a priority.
“She’s going to meet with husbands, wives, and spouses on that trip. Go see schools, go see faith groups, childcare centers to get a real pulse of what that is and then make sure we’re funding it,” Hegseth explained.
One of the key locations on the itinerary is Stuttgart, Germany, home to the U.S. European Command (EUCOM) and Africa Command (AFRICOM). These commands play a critical role in coordinating U.S. military operations across two vast and strategically vital regions. While details of his visit to Poland remain undisclosed, the country has increasingly become a focal point for U.S. military presence in Europe.
The Army established its first permanent garrison in Poznan in March 2023, marking a significant shift in NATO’s strategic positioning on the eastern flank. Beyond Poznan, rotational forces, including a tank brigade, continue to be stationed throughout Poland as part of efforts to deter Russian aggression.
Hegseth’s decision to prioritize direct engagement with troops over high-level diplomatic meetings sends a clear message: his focus is on military readiness and the operational realities faced by U.S. forces. “I would much rather talk to troops than go to cocktail parties. That’s my job,” he stated, making his stance unmistakable.
