Mark Hertling

Mark Hertling has 38 years of experience in the United States Army, culminating in a distinguished career as a lieutenant general. Since retiring in 2012 he has gained a wide audience as an author and media analyst.  Hertling has a lot to say about how political polarization and divisiveness are straining the shared purpose essential to a stable democracy.  He warns about the erosion of norms such as respect for the rule of law, acceptance of election outcomes, and peaceful transfer of power.

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He believes recent actions by the U.S. government have damaged this nation’s security and have negatively affected global stability.  Hertling says some recent actions taken by U.S. government officials do not align with established American values. He also cautions against the use of military imagery or personnel in political settings, arguing that such practices erode public trust in the armed forces and damage civilian-military relations.

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The general’s views are informed by his long military career.  He led major formations, including the US Army in Europe, where he oversaw tens of thousands of soldiers and worked closely with NATO allies and international partners. He commanded forces in Iraq during some of that war’s most challenging periods. Those experiences reinforced a deep belief in the importance of preserving the global order established by the United States following World War II.

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Hertling stresses that lessons from past wars cannot always be applied to future conflicts, particularly as technologies like drones and cyber capabilities rapidly evolve. As a result, he worked to ensure forces under his command were prepared for modern threats. An educator at heart, he invested heavily in leadership development, professional education, and physical fitness for troops under his command.

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Since leaving active duty, Hertling has authored two books, served on two presidential commissions under two different administrations, and appeared as a national security analyst for two cable news channels. In 2025 he joined The Bulwark as a writer and national security analyst.

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Published in 2026, If I Don't Return: A Father's Wartime Journal, is a memoir acquired from battlefield notes Hertling wrote for his sons during the Gulf War.

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“I remember President Reagan’s view of America as the shining city on the hill.  The city shines not because it’s a city – it shines because of the light people hold inside that is reflected through the windows.  And we don’t see that light today. We’ve lost our way as a nation. We can get it back, but it will take time.”

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ORLANDO, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 25, 2026