President-elect Donald Trump's choice for defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, vowed Tuesday to foster a warrior culture at the Pentagon, portraying himself as a change agent during a testy Senate confirmation hearing that drew protesters but also veterans in support. Hegesth did not initially address the allegations of sexual assault, excessive drinking or his derisive views on women in combat and minorities, as senators determine whether the veteran and TV news show host is fit to lead the US military. Instead, he focused on his combat experience in the Army National Guard. It's time to give someone with dust on his boots the helm. A change agent, Hegseth said in his opening remarks. This is not academic, he declared, wearing an American flag pocket square on his suitcoat. This is my life. Asked directly about the sexual assault allegation, Hegseth dismissed it as a smear campaign and unfair attack. But he did not specifically address any of the accusations, or tell the senators that