The package combines changes to military command structures and acquisition with infrastructure, technology research and officer development. It also includes a proposed military base for 15,000 to 25,000 troops and an Office of Religious Affairs reporting directly to the secretary.
The proposed four-star Autonomous Warfare Command, or Autowarcom, will focus on building robotic and autonomous capabilities across the joint force. Hegseth also said each military department would establish new occupational specialties to support that shift.
Project Agincourt will prepare the pathway for the command while carrying out the existing unmanned systems mission. Hegseth directed the direct reporting portfolio manager for unmanned systems to lead the organization and prototype a new acquisition model.
A separate effort, Project Meridian, will pair the Pentagon’s chief technology officer with private-sector participants to study future warfare. Hegseth said its remit is to identify technologies and capabilities the military must master, rather than write strategies or policies.
“Rather, its purpose is to creatively look into the future and identify the domains we must conquer, and capabilities we must master … to achieve technological and military dominance on the battlefield for decades to come; it is futuristic, on purpose,” Hegseth said. He presented the study alongside his broader priorities of rebuilding the military and strengthening deterrence.
Fortress America will seek to align basing and infrastructure projects around greater independence. Hegseth said its goals include eventually enabling every U.S. military installation to run under its own power, hardening domestic installations against intrusion and bringing critical supply chains home.
The proposed “Next Great American Base” will extend that approach to a new, self-sustaining power projection platform. State leaders will be invited to explain how they would accommodate the installation and its military population.
“If your state wants the honor of hosting 15,000 to 25,000 of America’s great troops, show us why and how you’re going to do it — cutting through the red tape, offering up the land and rolling out the red carpet for our military families,” Hegseth said. The invitation places land availability, administrative processes and support for military families among the considerations for hosting the base.
The department is partnering with six universities to expand officer commissioning through “America’s Corps of Cadets.” The initiative will extend military training beyond the service academies and six military colleges to additional higher-education institutions.
“By embedding continuous military discipline and leadership development into new institutions — by growing our Corps of Cadets — the War Department will ensure our republic is defended by even more officers of unwavering character and patriotism,” Hegseth said. The program is intended to increase the number of future leaders entering the joint force.
The Office of Religious Affairs will oversee efforts to strengthen religious support, with a direct reporting line to the secretary’s office. Hegseth said the arrangement would reduce bureaucracy and give the office authority over budgets and infrastructure requirements.
“This is not going to be a paper-pushing shop; it’s going to have real teeth,” Hegseth said. “It’ll protect budgets, demand infrastructure and strengthen religious support.”
Hegseth addressed a broadcast audience and 600 O-3 officers and E-6 enlisted service members, one year after announcing personnel and cultural directives at Quantico. He reiterated his “E-6/O-3 Rule,” which asks whether a policy, procedure or decision supports their operational effectiveness and daily work.
