Dozens of veterans and servicemembers who served directly with Pete Hegseth are rallying behind the Fox News host as he seeks Senate confirmation to become the next Secretary of Defense, the Daily Caller has learned.

As the decorated veteran’s confirmation process intensifies, 44 veterans who served alongside Hegseth in Guantanamo Bay, Iraq, and Afghanistan have signed a letter endorsing him.

While prominent veterans like Dan Caldwell and Joseph Wade Miller have previously voiced their support, this marks the first collective endorsement from those who served with Hegseth, including all three of his direct commanders, the Daily Caller reported.

“We, the undersigned, served directly with Pete Hegseth in the U.S. military — either in Guantanamo Bay, Iraq, Afghanistan, or in various units. We come from all ranks and different experiences, but have one core thing in common: we FULLY support Pete Hegseth’s nomination to be the next Secretary of Defense,” the letter reads.

NEW: Dozens of veterans and military members who directly served with Pete Hegseth are pushing for the nominee to be confirmed as the next Defense Secretary.

The letter, obtained exclusively by @DailyCaller, here: pic.twitter.com/NnXlFepq66

— Reagan Reese (@reaganreese_) December 10, 2024

“His selfless leadership, love of his soldiers, and commitment to the country are unparalleled. And his tireless dedication to those things has never stopped and never wavered. He is the fighter we served with, and the fighter our troops need today,” the letter continued.

Following Hegseth’s nomination by President-elect Donald Trump, he faced scrutiny over allegations of sexual misconduct and excessive drinking. Among the resurfaced claims was a 2017 investigation into allegations that Hegseth sexually assaulted a woman; however, no charges were ever filed.

Additionally, media outlets reported stories from anonymous sources accusing the former Fox News host of alcohol abuse. The New York Times published a 2018 email from Hegseth’s mother in which she alleged he had mistreated and belittled women.

Recently, however, momentum has shifted in Hegseth’s favor. His mother appeared on Fox News last week, clarifying that she had written the email “in haste” and had apologized shortly afterward, retracting some of her statements.

Hegseth has been meeting with lawmakers on Capitol Hill in an effort to secure support from some reportedly skeptical Republicans. Much of the attention has centered on Iowa Senator Joni Ernst, a combat veteran herself, who finally indicated on Monday she could support him after withholding an endorsement for days.