Story perspectives

Pentagon appoints two civilian officials for Hegseth agenda

8/31/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Defense Department appointed Col. Rob Maness and Col. Kurt Schlichter as civilian employees to back Secretary Pete Hegseth’s agenda.
Both appointees hold active government email addresses ending in “.civ,” indicating civilian status.
Maness has over 135,000 X followers; Schlichter about 620,000, and they publicly praised President Donald Trump and Hegseth’s reforms.
They serve in Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness Anthony Tata’s office under HQE or SGE (up to 130 days).

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Story summary

The Defense Department appointed Col. Rob Maness and Col. Kurt Schlichter as civilian employees to back Secretary Pete Hegseth’s agenda.
Both appointees hold active government email addresses ending in “.civ,” indicating civilian status.
Maness has over 135,000 X followers; Schlichter about 620,000, and they publicly praised President Donald Trump and Hegseth’s reforms.
They serve in Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness Anthony Tata’s office under HQE or SGE (up to 130 days).