Pentagon Bans DEI in Military Academies, Admissions

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, under the Trump administration, has issued sweeping directives requiring all future admissions to U.S. military academies to be based solely on merit, explicitly forbidding the consideration of race, ethnicity, or sex in the selection process. Simultaneously, the Pentagon has mandated all military educational institutions to identify, sequester, and review books in their libraries related to diversity, anti-racism, gender ideology, and other so-called 'divisive concepts,' with an initial deadline of May 21 for compliance. A temporary Academic Libraries Committee was formed to guide the identification and review process using terms like 'affirmative action,' 'critical race theory,' and 'white privilege.' These measures are part of a broader Trump administration effort to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives from military education and policy. The directives have sparked debate, with civil rights advocates criticizing the changes as harmful to addressing systemic inequities, while supporters argue they are needed to maintain military readiness and excellence. The effects of these policies are being closely monitored as implementation begins.