How much will it cost for the Department of War rebrand?
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Pentagon officials grappled Friday with the Herculean task of fulfilling President Donald Trumpâs executive order to remold the enormous, global agency into the Department of War.
Many expressed frustration, anger and downright confusion at the effort, which could cost billions of dollars for a cosmetic change that would do little to tackle the militaryâs most pressing challenges â such as countering a more aggressive alliance of authoritarian nations.The details of the order Trump signed Friday are still vague, but officials may need to change Defense Department seals on more than 700,000 facilities in 40 countries and all 50 states. This includes everything from letterhead for six military branches and dozens more agencies down to embossed napkins in chow halls, embroidered jackets for Senate-confirmed officials and the keychains and tchotchkes in the Pentagon store.
âThis is purely for domestic political audiences,â said a former defense official. âNot only will this cost millions of dollars, it will have absolutely zero impact on Chinese or Russian calculations. Worse, it will be used by our enemies to portray the United States as warmongering and a threat to international stability.â
This article is based on interviews with more than half a dozen current and former defense officials, many of whom have insight into the broader sentiment in the department. The people were granted anonymity to discuss a sensitive issue.
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WaPo' Editorial Board defends the War Department name change:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/09/05/war-department-defense-trump-rebrand/
The main thrust of their argument seems to be that the new name will induce a much needed national introspection on what we really want our military to do (e.g., focusing on fighting wars instead of nation building overseas or policing at home a la D.C.).
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As I said next door:
Honestly, don't we have something better to do? The only possible benefit I can see is sending a message to potential adversaries about the footing we see ourselves on. It's very similar to the NG in DC but is unlikely to have as much practical effect.
It rather reminds me of the Ohio legislature passing a bill outlawing declawing cats. I support that bill for the most part, but we have huge school funding problems that have been languishing for a couple decades now.
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Tax cuts are in and there is no reason to save $ any more.
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WaPo' Editorial Board defends the War Department name change:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/09/05/war-department-defense-trump-rebrand/
The main thrust of their argument seems to be that the new name will induce a much needed national introspection on what we really want our military to do (e.g., focusing on fighting wars instead of nation building overseas or policing at home a la D.C.).
@Axtremus said in How much will it cost for the Department of War rebrand?:
WaPo' Editorial Board defends the War Department name change:
The WaPo had really gotten bad these days. I don't disagree that introspection is needed, but not with the expense this is going to incur. There's no justification for that. None.
@Mik said in How much will it cost for the Department of War rebrand?:
Honestly, don't we have something better to do?
Exactly.
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There is a theory of management out there that states the best course of action when your company isnât doing well is to change the company name.
Seems legit.
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@Daniel. said in How much will it cost for the Department of War rebrand?:
The Constitution says to provide for the common defense. It doesn't say to wage war.
Still, President George Washington created the âWar Departmentâ after the Constitution was ratified.
