Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced plans to create a new military command focused on autonomous warfare and invited U.S. governors to bid for a new domestic military base during a speech at Marine Corps Base Quantico on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. Hegseth also detailed a series of initiatives intended to harden military infrastructure against cyberattacks and broaden officer training through partnerships with private universities.
The announcements were made during Hegseth's second annual State of the Force address, delivered one year after he outlined initial directives to change military culture. In his remarks to approximately 600 junior officers and enlisted personnel, Hegseth stated that the military is being rebuilt and that "American deterrence is back." He also confirmed plans to increase the target for cutting senior officer positions, including generals and admirals, to 20 percent, up from a 10 percent reduction directed in May 2025.
The new four-star Autonomous Warfare Command, or "AutoWarCom," is scheduled to be operational by October 2027. It will be initially led by Owen West, director of the Defense Innovation Unit, and Navy SEAL Senior Chief Max Strasiser. Hegseth also announced Project Meridian, a study group led by Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey, and Newt Gingrich, which will examine future battlefield technologies. Additionally, the secretary established an Office of Religious Affairs, which he said would protect chaplaincy budgets and report directly to his office.
For active-duty personnel, particularly senior leadership, the impact is more immediate. The decision to cut 20 percent of general and flag officer positions follows the removal of over two dozen senior officers in the past year. These personnel changes have faced criticism from some members of Congress and were cited as a factor in the resignation of former Army Secretary Dan Driscoll. Meanwhile, students at non-Ivy League institutions like Liberty University and Hillsdale College will see new opportunities for military commissions through "America’s Corps of Cadets," while the Pentagon plans to create new occupational specialties specifically for robotics and autonomous systems.
The broader "Fortress America" initiative aims to make every major U.S. military installation self-sustaining by generating its own power. Hegseth stated this is intended to ensure bases remain operational during cyberattacks or sabotage on civilian grids. The department also plans to build strategic reserves of munitions, fuel, and medicine to mitigate risks from broken global supply lines. Implementation for the college partnerships is set to begin within 30 days, while the pathway for the autonomous command, dubbed Project Agincourt, will proceed toward the October 2027 activation date.