A survey conducted by the veterans organization Common Defense found that approximately half of military-affiliated respondents disapprove of the job performance of President Donald Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. The poll, released on Monday, November 2, 2026, surveyed 731 active-duty service members, veterans, and military families. It reported that 67% of respondents believe military decisions under the current administration are being made for political gain rather than mission readiness.
The survey comes amid a period of reform at the Pentagon led by Secretary Hegseth. These initiatives include changes to readiness standards to implement a "warrior ethos" and the removal or sidelining of more than 80 generals and admirals, which represents about 10% of the force. The poll results also follow recent military operations, including Operation Epic Fury in the Middle East, and ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran.
According to the data, 53% of active-duty respondents expressed a desire to separate from the military sooner than planned due to perceived politicization. Additionally, 45% cited policy changes or uncertainty under President Trump as a reason for considering an early exit. While 50% of respondents disapproved of the President's role as commander-in-chief, senior uniformed military commanders maintained a higher approval rating of 56%. Despite these figures, 47% of those surveyed said they believe the Republican Party is more effective at communicating with the military.
The scale of this sentiment is reflected in the 67% of respondents who believe mission readiness is being superseded by political considerations. This perception could influence future recruitment efforts and the internal morale of the armed forces. Furthermore, the report notes that roughly 10% of the high-level military leadership has been sidelined by Hegseth, representing a significant change in the personnel structure of the Pentagon. These internal shifts occur as 48% of active-duty respondents express a preference for withdrawing from Iran, while 55% have called for congressional investigations into the health and safety of troops deployed during recent operations in the Middle East.
What happens next: The poll results were released just prior to the 2026 midterm elections, suggesting that military and veteran voters may use these views to evaluate candidates. Specifically, 55% of respondents indicated they want Congress to investigate the welfare of troops involved in Operation Epic Fury. While the poll has a 4-point margin of error and the sample skews Republican, it sets a precedent for how current policy changes regarding "warrior ethos" and leadership removals are being received by those within the ranks. No specific dates for congressional hearings or a response from the Department of Defense regarding the exit rates were reported.