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The US Department of Defense has moved to strike out “divisive concepts and gender ideology” in its educational resources and military academy admissions.
The two new directives were announced via department communiques on 9 May.
Under the first directive, the department has issued orders for the review of library materials at military educational institutions. Materials will be reviewed to concentrate on core mission and mission-focus and should not promote divisive concepts and gender ideology.
“Military educational institutions, such as war colleges and military service academies, will preliminarily identify this content no later than May 21, 2025, then conduct a deliberate review to determine the final disposition of that content,” according to a statement from chief Pentagon spokesman and senior adviser Sean Parnell.
“The Secretary has been clear: We are building a colourblind, merit-based culture that promotes and rewards individual initiative, excellence, and hard work.”
The second directive informs military department secretaries to certify their admissions are race, ethnicity and sex-blind. The directive expects that military service academies (MSAs), within 30 days, must confirm that admission will be based exclusively on merit for the 2026 admissions cycle and beyond.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, speaking in a memorandum for senior Pentagon leadership, stated that the department owes the nation an obligation to make the changes.
“The Department (of Defense) owes it to our nation, our service members, and the young Americans applying to the MSAs to ensure admissions to these prestigious institutions are based exclusively on merit,” he said.
“This ensures only the most qualified candidates are admitted, trained, and ultimately commissioned to lead the finest fighting force in history.
“Selecting anyone but the best erodes lethality, our warfighting readiness, and undercuts the culture of excellence in our Armed Forces.
“Merit-based scores may give weight to unique athletic talent or other experiences such as prior military service or performance at a MSA preparatory school.
“The department must remain steadfast in its pursuit of excellence and never compromise the high standards at our MSAs. A strong officer corps is essential to ensuring the United States military remains the most lethal the world has ever known.”
