On Point: US Dept. Of War: What's in a Name Change?

[rangerrebew]

On Point: US Dept. Of War: What's in a Name Change?
 
by Austin Bay
September 10, 2025
Down, direct and perhaps a bit dirty has its place, especially in the complex undertaking German strategic theorist Carl von Clausewitz called "politics by other means."

Politics by other means was Clausewitz's restrained definition of war. When economic enticements go bust and diplomatic "jaw jaw" deadlocks, destructive acts of violence become the mode of political discourse between rival human groups -- from tribes to superpowers.

President Donald Trump has decided to dispense with the name Dept. of Defense and revive the original nom de guerre Dept. of War.

Which raises what I think is the determinative question: Does changing the name of America's war-waging institution enhance war deterrence or, in other words, help convince a bad actor he will get killed if he doesn't make a deal, or, when deterrence fails, does altering the name increase the prospect of victory in deadly conflict?

https://www.strategypage.com/on_point/20250910175345.aspx#gsc.tab=0

[rangerrebew]

I think War Department would be better still.

[txradioguy]

The change back to calling the DoD the War Department won't mean a thing unless the mentality of those working inside the 5 Sided Palace changes as well.


Hegseth has done a great job so far...but he's still got an uphill struggle to get us back to a warrior mentality.