Secretary Pete Hegseth – “Six weeks ago, Senator Mark Kelly — and five other members of Congress — released a reckless and seditious video that was clearly intended to undermine good order and military discipline. As a retired Navy Captain who is still receiving a military pension, Captain Kelly knows he is still accountable to military justice. And the Department of War — and the American people — expect justice.
Therefore, in response to Senator Mark Kelly’s seditious statements — and his pattern of reckless misconduct — the Department of War is taking administrative action against Captain Mark E. Kelly, USN (Ret). The department has initiated retirement grade determination proceedings under 10 U.S.C. § 1370(f), with reduction in his retired grade resulting in a corresponding reduction in retired pay.
To ensure this action, the Secretary of War has also issued a formal Letter of Censure, which outlines the totality of Captain (for now) Kelly’s reckless misconduct. This Censure is a necessary process step and will be placed in Captain Kelly’s official and permanent military personnel file.”
“Captain Kelly has been provided notice of the basis for this action and has thirty days to submit a response. The retirement grade determination process directed by Secretary Hegseth will be completed within forty-five days.
Captain Kelly’s status as a sitting United States Senator does not exempt him from accountability, and further violations could result in further action.
These actions are based on Captain Kelly’s public statements from June through December 2025 in which he characterized lawful military operations as illegal and counseled members of the Armed Forces to refuse lawful orders. This conduct was seditious in nature and violated Articles 133 and 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, to which Captain Kelly remains subject as a retired officer receiving pay.” (SOURCE)
Spaceshot Kelly, to infinity and beyond!
Yeah maybe that year in space had some side affects! Like poor judgement!
Except Kelly isn’t innocent. 😂
I’m real old and this is my excuse for random comments.
My Mother in Law dated Chuck Conners when he was a minor league ball player.
Perhaps if things had gone differently, my husband (my honey!) would not be 5’6″. 😎
Worked out great, tho, as I am adorably petite.
My husband used to live a block away from Conners in Woodland Hills, Ca. when he was growing up. Small world….
Just spent a beautiful week in Santa Barbara drove on I-5 through Calabasas and Woodland Hills. Had dinner on Sunday at Guiseppe’s in Pismo Beach and smash burgers and sourdough pizza at Third Window Brewing in SB which is owned by the Fess Parker Family! Fess bought a several hundred acres in Los Olivos when he was younger and has Fess Parker Vinyard and Winery. His family runs it now and the location is spectacular!
That whole area has undergone superb redevelopment in the last ten years. Glad you had a great time!
How many here are old enough to remember Fess Parker?
Me😄
Daniel Boone. I got a racoon hat because of him (well, not REAL racoon fur).
Fess was Davy Crockett long before he became Daniel Boone.
Fess was a smart country boy buying that vinyard in Los Olivos. Fred MacMurry bought a ranch with 1,700 acres in Napa. John Wayne, Bing Crosby and the gang stayed at a camp there and would got fishing and hunting on the property with Fred. Fred’s daughter sold the property to her friend and neighbor Gina Gallo and still lives there managing the vinyard.
Yes, that Gallo! 😉
first man to bust a backboard in a pro basketball game.
Used to cut through there from time to time from the PCH coming back from LAX to avoid having to take the 405/101 up. Also BITD before online was so big, there was a “Fry’s” store there that was my go-to for computer parts. Also for a while I did business with what was then Litton Guidance & Control defense contractor that was there.
SoCal was a wonderful place to grow up in the 60’s and 70’s. Especially near the beaches. El Porto was our home beach (near Manhatten Beach). Mom would drop us off in the morning with snack shack money and return in the afternoon.
I upChucked around the Corner once!
Fortunately nobody noticed.
The Rifleman!
Good Show!
That opening was rich comedy material for a couple of comics.
Stories were similar to ‘The Fugitive’, but set in the Old West.
“Paw, Paw, Paw. Are you okay, Paw?” If I recall the child actor was Johnny Crawford.
in the TV show Branded, was Chuck Connors as the start falsely convicted?
Yes, in the TV show Branded (1965–1966), Chuck Connors’ character, Captain Jason McCord, was absolutely falsely convicted of cowardice and desertion.
The premise of the show is built entirely on this injustice. Here is the breakdown of what actually happened:
The False Accusation
Why He Didn’t Clear His NameIn a noble but tragic twist, McCord chose to remain silent about the truth for two main reasons:
The Iconic IntroThe show is famous for its opening credits, which showed the “cashiering” ceremony where McCord’s rank was ripped from his uniform and his sabre was broken in two. The theme song explicitly confirms his innocence with the lyrics:
Throughout the series, McCord travels the West as a surveyor and engineer, constantly facing people who recognize him as “the coward of Bitter Creek,” forcing him to prove his courage over and over again.
Would you like to know more about the “Broken Sabre” he carried, or perhaps some of the famous guest stars who appeared on the show?
We sang our own version as kids back then:
Stranded. Stuck on the toilet bowl.
What do you do when you’re stranded
And you don’t have a roll
That’s all? A reduction in pay? Arrest the scumbag for sedition now! Throw him in Leavenworth until trial. Better yet Guantanamo Bay
Ego blow for the astronaut. It will burn and it is a warning to him.
A disgrace that contains mercy from those he betrayed.
And a warning to others.
Recalling him to active duty and putting Kelly on trial would be a three-ring media circus. He doesn’t deserve the attention. Hegseth’s action is measured and appropriate.
🎯
…plus, Kelly is like all narcissistic democrats. He’ll eventually cause more harm to himself.
Save Guano for Obama, Eisen, Brennan, Garland, Boasburg, etc.
It’s what can be done using the military process.
My sentiment exactly. It makes the administration look… weak.
Only to those who don’t know better.
Yes, mass formation TDS psychotics live in upside down world for sure! Stranger things got nothing on this sorry bunch.
Reread GZ’s comments above. Three ring circus. Have faith Kelly will wish he hadn’t participated after this action takes place. O-6 to 0-1 is a face blast 💥
What is his retirement pay now? And his retirement benefits?
Assuming he did 30, he would get 75% of O-6 base pay average from high 3 yrs –(so really the last three years) on date of retirement, plus whatever COLAs (same as SS) since retirement. But when Kelly came in he would be eligible to elect instead a reduced retirement pay by taking a mid-career “bonus” at 15 years of service (plan known as REDUX). He is eligible for Tricare medical, mostly a benefit if he can use a military treatment facility (MTF) and pharmacy. At 65 you lose Tricare but if you opt into Medicare Part B, you can get “Tricare for Life” as second payer for co-pays. If he has a service-connected disability rating he would also get VA compensation (depending on rating it might be subtracted from military retire pay) and be eligible for VA health care (rating determines priority and cost to vet).
A few fringes (access to base, base gym, commissary, exchange, space-a flights, etc).
Plus millions in kickbacks from Venezuela have dried up. Kelly’s gonna be hurting.
I have no idea how the process plays out or how much he receives but it can’t be a drop in the bucket compared to Senator pay, benefits, retirement and back door deals. To me, it seems like a slap on the hand. That and the left will find him top attorneys, even within the military.
I tell you, if going into space you end up looking like Private Kelly, I want nothing to do with it. He is looking more and more like one of the green/gray aliens.
like toast!
Has the senate done anything? Its time these republicans show a backbone. If nothing else he should get a vote of no confidence or, at least, be silence.
You are counting on the likes of Collins and Murkowski etc to “do something”???
Thanks for the chuckle 🙂
Call your senators to let them know that they need to do something
The senate needs to get rid of the filibuster and to pass the SAVE act to ensure that voters are actually citzens
You are forgetting. “These Republicans” are not your friends.
The republicans worry about the secrets the democrats have on them. Kelly’s corruption was pittance what other dems and reps have done. I have no faith in either house or senate. Just like the republicans didn’t support Trump on all the false prosecutions. Our country is in a sad place due to money corruption. And we think our enemies are bad
Bondi still hasn’t arrested anyone!
At this point it seems the FBI and the Justice Dept have continued their recent tradition of working directly against the American people and America.
If Obama was in charge , not only would they be doing attacks against us 24/7, most of their charges would be made up.
So you want to act like “them”? Go join “them” you will fit right in!
FAFO
“…disgraced Navy Captain…”: He’s only disgraced to one side, he’s a hero to the other side, and what about his shipmates in this sordid affair, are they going to skate? The punishment is grossly insufficient.
Take him down to ENSIGN and at least he wouldn’t even mention his military credentials again.
All the left’s heroes are criminals.
Well, there goes the money for this dipshit’s Rogaine program.
hey, watch it.
Lesson: Be sure brain is engaged before putting mouth in gear.
A judge will block any action Pete takes ..
UCMJ, not likely.
Not so sure civilian judges have any say in a Military administrative matter. I mean Captains and Colonels were kicked out for refusing to take an experimental Covid Shot.
Corrupt civilian judges have NO standing in USCMJ matters.
Exactly, what he gets it’s going to be changed
There was created a civilian United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces in 1968. They have appellate review of courts-martial (Art 67(c) of the UCMJ). However, it looks like this is an administrative determination by SecNav (and his decision approved by SecWar) and my assumption is it can be reviewed by the Board for Correction of Naval Records (they mostly review admin discharges such as OTH).
Yes
I would have preferred no less than a court-martial for this arrogant, moral degenerate, but the military industrial complex would have made The President’s next 3yrs a living hell. Since kelly is void of any moral conscience, no amount of disgrace or punishment would have made a difference since he thinks he’s above all laws…
Violations that bring the most Non judicial punishment of commissioned officers. Sedtion is not one of them
Most Common Reasons for Nonjudicial Punishment of Commissioned Officers
The most common reasons for nonjudicial punishment (NJP) among commissioned officers typically include:
1. Fraternization
Fraternization is often cited as a primary reason for NJP. This occurs when officers engage in inappropriate personal relationships with enlisted personnel or other officers, which can undermine the chain of command and lead to perceptions of favoritism.
2. Conduct Unbecoming an Officer
This broad category includes behavior that reflects poorly on the officer’s status or duties, such as public intoxication, inappropriate conduct, or any actions that may damage the reputation of the military.
3. Failure to Obey Orders
Not adhering to lawful orders given by superiors is a serious offense and can lead to NJP, as it compromises training, unit cohesion, and operational effectiveness.
4. Lack of Military Courtesy
This includes failing to show appropriate respect to other ranks and personnel, which is vital for maintaining discipline and order within the military.
5. Negligence or Misconduct
This can involve a range of issues, from neglecting duties to engaging in potentially harmful or dangerous behaviors that affect operational readiness.
—
The specifics can vary significantly based on branch policies and the particular circumstances surrounding each case. Familiarity with the applicable regulations is crucial for officers to avoid situations that may lead to NJP.
I guess Kelly was awarded a Secretary Letter of Censure (JAGMAN 0114a):
“a. General. The Secretary of the Navy may administratively censure members, including retirees and reservists, in writing without resorting to Article 15, UCMJ, proceedings. The Secretary’s authority to issue censures is inherent in his or her office. The Secretary may, within his or her discretion, when he or she believes it is for the good of the service, send communications to subordinate officers that may be in the nature of a reprimand. This right is necessarily vested in him or he as chief officer of that department. Such censure is neither a nonpunitive measure nor a punitive sanction of the type that can be imposed as nonjudicial punishment or as the judgment of a court-martial. The Secretary’s authority is in its own class. Such censures cannot be delegated. Unless otherwise directed, a copy of the letter will be filed in the official record of the member censured.”
I thought sedition was punishable by more than demotion. I guess I’m once again thinking of that other USA.
Sedtion could be hard to prove.
Conduct unbecoming an officer, Lack of military courtesy, and Negligence or Misconduct all apply and are up to the Senior Officer hearing the case to decide along with the punishment. No tribunal or jury needed.
The military is not a Democracy but a Dictatorship that you agree to when you enlist, accept a reserve or full commission and swear your oath.
“If Pete Hegseth, the most unqualified Secretary of Defense in our country’s history,”
Kelly saying this about Hegseth today is not going to help his case.
Both the Iran and Venezuelan actions prove the contrary to what that A hole Kelly is bleating 🙂
There goes another charge for Kelly…
Lack of Military Courtesy
actions not words matter!~
Secretary of War is a man of action.
And saves the clown show that would be a full courts marshal. Can you imagine the press coverage of such an event. Rank reduction is not trivial. He will never be able to use “Captain” title again.
I wonder what his twin brother (also a Navy Captain) thinks?
This; you sign your life over for the lengtb of your contract.
Since the officer was not assigned to a ship, I believe he can refuse NJP and request trial by court-martial.
In the context of non-judicial punishment (NJP) for officers in the Navy, they are generally not allowed to have legal representation present during the proceedings. However, officers can consult with a legal advisor before the NJP takes place.
If an officer wishes to contest the NJP, they may have the option to appeal or request a court-martial, where legal representation would then be permitted. This framework gives officers the opportunity to understand their rights and options before facing disciplinary actions.
A court martial would be fun, for the prosecution.
Some of the best lawyers I ever worked with, four decades litigating I met a lot of lawyers, came from military ranks.
I think that a demotion would be a very appropriately humiliating way to teach a Senator a lesson. Further actions might be problematic, but this ought to be enough.
Yes, I agree that a demotion or reduction in pay would be appropriate, and I suggest a final award of a dollar a month, total.
DOJ? Can we get some criminal charges for sedition now?
You really want that clown show played out in the media? They would have him on his hero’s pedestal if not president. He is tarnished now.
Kelly is an outrageous hypocrite and anti-American stooge. . . but other names I don’t hear mentioned these days (will we??) are Merrick Garland, Christopher Wray, Anthony Fauci and Alejandro Majorkas.
If any of these seditious criminals comfortably dies, long away from now, in their bed, with their ill-gotten millions in the bank, American justice is dead.
Remember they still have to face the Almighty.
Disgrace is a powerful tool and pretty much all of the above have been disgraced.
That’s the only hope I have, God’s intercession to save our country!
Kelly has repeatedly taken an oath to the US Constitution since he was a Midshipman at the US Naval Academy. He’s taken the same oath every time he got promoted. He’s also took the oath when he became senator.
He is more loyal to a political party than he is the US Constitution.
And that political party is disloyal to the US Constitution.
“The Socialist Party candidate for President of the US, Norman M. Thomas (November 20, 1884 to December 19, 1968), said this in a 1944 speech:
“The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of “liberalism,” they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened.”
He went on to say: “I no longer need to run as a Presidential Candidate for the Socialist Party. The Democrat Party has adopted our platform.”
Yes, and it is no more obvious than in the way the ‘democrat’ Party conducts business today!
He graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy not the US Naval Academy. He would have held a reserve commission upon graduation and then upon promotion to O-4 been offered a regular commission.
Ensign Kelly (Ret.)
Seaman Recruit (Ret)!
God willing this creep gets what coming to him.
The other 5 seditionists as well.
Has the Navy run out of yardarms?
As a former Navy officer, I was hoping for a little paid vacation time at Navy Correctional Facility, Portsmouth, NH. I guess we’re not really serious about service reform.
Reduced? Hell no. Cut it to a buck private’s pension. 😉
The U.S. military system does not allow for demotion of commissioned officers to enlisted ranks.
Wrong service!
YASSSSS!!!!!!!
Ah it’s so good to see someone get hit in the mouth that deserves it.
The lack of accountability is pervasive, and so demoralizing.
Is that all, a reduction on pay?
A small one.
And a negative letter in his file.
Wow. The administration is really doing something.
Good.
And it’s only Monday
This is WEAK SAUCE. Retirement pay reduction? These corrupt politicians mysteriously gain MILLIONS upon MILLIONS after taking office and SecWar wants to dock his military retirement pay? He probably forgot he is getting any. It’s chump change compared to the grift they are trying to see continue.
$87,000 up to $155,000 per year plus health benefits
It’s more about embarrassment.
Not enough
Secretary Hegseth did not come to this point alone. This was sent through the military court system for review and recommendations. JAG officers compared the alleged offense to the lawbooks and determined that nothing rose to the level of a crime to be prosecuted. I don’t understand why so many are bewildered.
What will happen now is that some panel will determine non-criminal punishment, if any.
Tip of the iceberg? What about the alleged bribes taken from those Venezuelan drug cartels? If I were a CONgressmen on the take I’d be sweating profusely right about now!
Not quite. My guess a practical decision was made that recalling Kelly to active duty and referring charges to a court-martial was going to be difficult legally and politically. Going this route by using administrative procedures to award a letter of censure and re-determination of grade at retirement provides fewer avenues of challenge.
Finally. Something happened!
Full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.
– William Shakespeare
Wonderful!! Now charge Milley and Vindman!!
And denaturalize and deport Vindmann.
Someone is finally held accountable with consequence?
I’m looking up, waiting for a pig to fly by.
Also waiting for an activist judge to say Pete can’t do that.
Civilian judges have no jurisdiction over military matters.
Zohran Mamdani is now rumored to be telling his staff that when he becomes President, he will name Mark Kelly Secretary of Defense.
To be expected, this .. from Mark Kelly and Demoncrats, notably Schumer.
Kelly’s latest action .. He denounced the censure as political retaliation, calling Hegseth “the most unqualified secretary of defense in our country’s history” and vowing to fight the action.
He stated the message in the video was non-controversial and rooted in constitutional duty. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer echoed this sentiment, calling the censure “a despicable act of political retribution”
Dude, it is what you did. You can say what you want about lawful military operations as illegal. You took more than speech, you took action calling for disobedience through your video, along with 5 other Democraps.
You rationalize that video as “non-controversial and rooted in constitutional duty”?
What a fundamental failure at distinguishing your concept of self and that of self identity. One isdistinct from the other; even though they are closely related.
A house built on sand cannot stand. Wiich one is your house built on?
I just looked up Senator Mark Kelly’s net worth( one of Congress weathest members) is
6 – 34 million , that’s Net (he’s late again filling current amounts) Taking some of his retirement pension at 06 and 25 yrs is probably less than 8K a month , that’s not even a nat on watermellon ! He is still laughning all the way to the bank. Charge him with what he did, ……you did the crime than take the time ( in jail.)
As of October 16, 2025, Quiver Quantitative estimated Senator Mark Kelly’s net worth at $20.4 million, ranking him 63rd in net worth among members of Congress. However, one outlier estimate from September 20, 2024, citing holdings in Motorola Solutions, Inc., reported a net worth of $49.1 million, significantly higher than other sources
FAFO applies to you, too, soon-to-be-demoted “Capt” Kelly…..
So sad that the best Arizona can do is a dido with ears for a Senator.
GREAT! Now do Mattis and Milly!
He would make a very impressive Seaman Recruit. Imagine attempting to turn military personnel into jailhouse lawyers. Unfortunately for the Democrats the average recruit has more native common sense than their clownish officer’s. Maybe SR Kelly will become more intelligent after his demotion.
LOL… Kelly is idiot and he and his little seeeyeaaa michigan senator woman look like asses.
Let’s see what the gutless CAPT Kelly does in response. Seem to me that the SecWar has him dead to rights and that this will stand but I’ll wait for the final word.
Soon to be ENSIGN Kelly.
The best that can be done is to reduce his retirement rank to his last permanent officer rank which is most likely O-5 (commander)
Choke on it, Kelly….Traitors deserve a rope!
Like everything else, this will likely end up in federal district court and then the Supreme Court.
It’s a wrist slap. Another disappointment.
He knew the rules & he chose to violate them. #Accountability
I still want to know what is up with Kelly’s ears? Why are they so big?! Better to hear with, or what?
I have no idea why NewsMax continues to run “judge” Napolitano on their programs, who hasn’t disagreed with the standard leftwing legal perspective on any subject since Trump started posing a real threat to the Deep State. Even Fox News dumped him. Clearly some sort of managed and likely compromised media asset.
Forty minutes ago on Higbie’s show, Napolitano dropped how he was friendly with Kelly’s lawyer and how the Dept of War was automatically going to lose the case.
To Higbie’s credit he actually pushed back against Napolitano’s opinion.
💯 correct about the “Judge”.
That’s it? WTF? Court Martial this Crap Weasel!!
There was no other possible motivation for that video and Kelly’s statement than to foment confusion and unrest in the military.
Kelly had to know that it is SOP that all officers and NCO’s receive continuing education on what are lawful and unlawful orders under the UCMJ. They already know that their allegiance is to the Constitution and not a person.
And yet he clearly implied that troops should question their orders as if unlawful orders had already been given and were being carried out. “Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders.”
When questioned he could not provide a single example of an unlawful order being given that he was referring to.
Of course the left is trying to defend his actions but there is no defense IMO.
Smart.
There’s a tier of disciplinary action in the military below the level of a court martial that I don’t think many civilians know about. It’s called “non-judicial punishment,” and is exactly what this is, placement of a letter documenting bad behavior in an individual’s file.
That may not sound like much. But for active duty officers, it is devastating. It can absolutely wreck your life and isn’t applied lightly. It can also be the first step on the way to a court martial.
The retirement reduction thing is WONDERFUL. For some reason, this never happens (to generals). Hegseth showing a willingness to actually bump somebody down in rank isn’t just good policy, it’s morale-boosting. Hopefully, Kelly isn’t the only senior officer about to get busted down to O-1. (And yes this matters, as it greatly reduces somebody’s retirement amount and makes them radioactive for the defense contracting industry to hire)
I’d like to see him court-martialled too but this is great on its own.
The wheels of justice grind slowly….
But ever more fine….
Should be E1 in my book….
NO MERCY!
UCMJ doesn’t allow for reducing an Officer’s grade to that of an enlisted. It typically doesn’t allow for reducing an officer’s rank below the last permanent grade they served in. Lets wait and see what that grade is.
No, but they can dismiss him and thus eliminate ALL pay, privileges, and benefits…as well as put him in chains.
He screwed the pooch when he double down – removing his best defense.
id like to see him busted to E-1.
Regrettably, the chances are close to zero.
I would imagine that the fact that Pete Hegseth himself is involved in doing this- makes it all that much more powerful.
It’s one thing to get fired, when the owner of the company fires you, that is quite another thing.
Thank you for this explanation.
So America’s ‘force field’ around its elites remains undefeated. It’s as if a political corollary to Reagan’s SDI Star Wars was in fact deployed, but only around UniParty cadres.
One true litmus of an egalitarian society is whether its betters are occasionally ‘brought low’ down to the level of, say, We the Peeps. Stalin shot his Generals. From time to time, a South Korean PM gets paraded about in shackles; Noriega and Chavez in chains.
Do you notice none of our guys ever suffer truly draconian consequences?
This means they all must be doing something right, regardless of their kayfabe narrative arcs. All actors have Equity cards, protagonists and antagonists alike.
Kelly’s pension will be trimmed. To our acres of young ‘gig economy’ workers this must have them quaking in their boots. With rage, one would hope.
America, are you a serious nation?
Gen. Mark Milley, are you paying attention?
I checked out the statute Hegseth referenced. It allows a commissioned officer who is involuntarily separated to retire at the highest pay grade held even if he hasn’t met the minimum time in grade. Otherwise the officer is retired at the next lower pay grade.
So it appears the most Senator Kelly is looking at is his retirement pay gets downgraded from Captain O-6 to Commander O-5. The formula is complicated, I can’t tell exactly how much is at risk.
No reduction to E1 unfortunately.
I beg to disagree, the rules do apply to Generals at least in what are deemed at the time to be “serious cases”
One of my neighbors, U.S. Army, was recently (5yrs) dropped from MG, to BG before he was released.
Another one of those, Fraternization “Screw-Ups”.
So there are at least some, Precedents to bringing this a**dro-not down to earth. . .
However as I’ve said before, to these people, He’ll wear it as a Badge of Courage, during his first Book Signing.