Staff ReportsThe RedState exclusive exposing Brad Duplessis — a retired Army officer who now serves as a Leader Training Program battalion coach for V2X — should make taxpayers sit up. The report says Duplessis has publicly attacked Department of War policy and even active‑duty officers while drawing a paycheck from a company that wins big Pentagon training contracts. If true, this is not just a social‑media spat. It raises real questions about contractor conduct, taxpayer funds, and the integrity of officer training.
What RedState uncovered about Brad Duplessis and V2X
RedState reports that Duplessis has posted repeated criticisms of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s policies on Bluesky and other platforms. Those posts include direct attacks on the Department of War’s new rules for retiree speech and allegations about an active‑duty officer that the officer calls “demonstrably false.” V2X, the defense firm that employs him as an LTP coach under Pentagon task orders, reportedly called the behavior “concerning” and declined further comment. For a taxpayer‑funded trainer who shapes future senior leaders, public conduct like this is not a private hobby — it is a potential mission risk.
Why contractor conduct and taxpayer funding matter
V2X isn’t a mom‑and‑pop operation. It holds major Army training task orders and collects taxpayer dollars to prepare our officers. The idea that a contractor employee could publicly undermine the Department of War’s effort to protect good order and discipline — while teaching the next generation of commanders — is a conflict of interest in plain sight. If the training pipeline is supposed to instill discipline, accountability, and respect for the chain of command, the people running that training should live by the same standards. No one wants political theater in a role meant to build readiness.
Policy backdrop: Hegseth’s crackdown and the legal gray zone
The Department’s tougher posture on retiree speech followed the video controversy that dubbed itself the “Seditious Six,” and Secretary Hegseth has pushed accountability for statements deemed prejudicial to military cohesion. That push is being litigated and judges have shown skepticism about stretching active‑duty rules over retirees. But there’s an operational reality that cuts the other way: public attacks on service leaders can damage morale and trust. Whether the law ultimately protects that speech or not, contractors working inside the training system need clear rules — and fast.
What should happen next
V2X and the Army training command should make a clean, on‑the‑record statement about Duplessis’s current role and whether any conduct review is underway. The Department of War should clarify how its standards apply to retired officers who work as taxpayer‑funded trainers. If the rule is “look the other way” for contractors, say so openly and explain why. If not, enforce the standard. America pays for training that keeps our military strong. We should not tolerate mixed messages from those the Pentagon trusts to shape its leaders. Silence and evasions won’t cut it — accountability will.
