Pete Hegseth here for a live Q&A on 4/28. What questions do you have for me?

By being in the service had opened my eyes on the role which this country plays. How do you instill in this country that to serve (in military) is the duty of a citizen?

Fantastic question MSG Sand, and really the central question my book attempts to tackle. Republics only stay great, if they contain good citizens. Informed, engaged, and properly-oriented citizens are the key. As you mentioned, Teddy indeed said a citizenry "more conscious of their rights than of their duties" becomes "blind to our own shortcomings" and, as a result, selfish, small, utopian, and dependent. Teddy's response is that--first--as "good citizens" we have to be willing to do 4 key things--all of which are inward facing, instead of outward facing. Good citizens must be willing to work and earn a living, they must be willing to fight (on the battlefield and for causes), they must have lots (demographics matters!) of patriotic children, and they must have character--informed by faith and virtue. Only when we do those things, are we the good citizens that a great republic requires. And, of course, on top of it all is education -- we must educate the next generation about what makes America great. The back of my book has some specific policy proposals in this regards... Great question!

MAJ (Join to see)

Thank you for the reply. The only thing I might disagree with President Roosevelt is that I would reverse the order of his 4 key things. Without character, informed by faith and virtue, the other three become more of danger than the small, selfish, dependent 'citizens' we now have.

Thank you again for your reply.

Great point, and I agree. They are not meant to be in order of priority...character is king, and informs everything.

SSG Buddy Kemper - I agree with you. Military members should not be allowed to participate in these events. The Patriot Riders are a hell of an organization. Thank you for your service as well!

PO1 (Join to see) - Great point Josh. Dictatorships don't require citizens at all. Republics REQUIRE patriotic, informed, and engaged citizens. Not in the sense of protesting...but in the every day virtues that keep us free: working, raising kids, strong families, faith, patriotism, courage....and the willingness to fight -- to fight against those who would seek to take away our freedoms, large and small

SSG Kemper, thank you for your service and passion are appreciated. The flag-burners and Westboro people disgust me as well. They have no idea how special America is...and that in almost any other country (save for some others in the West) they would be imprisoned, or worse, for speaking out. Killed in many places, especially dictatorships and countries controlled by Islamists. I'm torn on banning flag burning--I personally hate it, and would confront someone I saw burning the flag in front of me. But, at the same time, the Left -- especially on college campuses -- is undermining free speech to dramatically, that I don't like any erosions on speech. From safe spaces to speech codes to trigger warnings, we are exposing our youth less and less to speech (and views) that make them uncomfortable. Teddy Roosevelt talks about this in his 1910 speech that my book is based on. In short, he says that Republics are only free when vigorous speech is tolerated on both sides, without attempts to shut others down. That is true tolerance, not the phony stuff the Left peddles on campus and in the PC-media. Bottom line: we wore the uniform, in part, so that American citizens--including ass-clowns who burn the flag--could enjoy freedom and peace. They take it for granted, we don't -- and hence why we need to stay "in the arena"

MAJ (Join to see) - Thanks for your time, Sir. I look forward to you always on Fox News. I must say we really need more like you in The U.S. House and Senate. I hope you might consider it at some point. Blessings to you and your continued service and have a great weekend!

Agree 100%, if you are willing to write that blank check, then when you have served your time, whether in Combat or not, you should be granted citizenship. None of us knew when we enlisted (Or re-enlisted) if we would end up in combat, or if we would be asked to make the ultimate sacrifice. The least our Government can do if a man or woman signs on that dotted line, is reward them with full citizenship. They gambled their life for this country, that speaks volumes to me about the character of the person, and God knows we need more people of strong moral character in this country today.

Sgt Mike Sarris - I witnessed a hisapanic of Mexican heritage fast-tracked to citizenship. He and I went to Salt Lake City. We were doing physical security of Dugway Proving Ground and we were active duty on title 32. I think one of the Mexicans who got years after serving was busted for drugs and deported. Sadly.

I agree that anyone serving honorably in the U.S. military, especially in war time, should have a legal path to citizenship.

I agree LCpl James Robertson! The best "pathway to citizenship" I can think of is serving our country in the military. If you are willing to fight, and die, for this nation--you have shown me what I need to know about you. Moreover, the interpreters that I served with in Iraq and Afghanistan should also be given a fast-track to citizenship, if they qualify. Not all of them--but the ones who were with us in the thick of it, who truly committed to the mission and then came to the states--should have the opportunity to, eventually, become citizens. I have worked on behalf of many, and am helping a close Iraqi ally to get to the U.S....still too tough of a process.