Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth launches sweeping review of military’s DEI initiatives, demanding Pentagon advisory committees justify their existence or face dissolution.
At a Glance
- Defense Secretary Hegseth has ordered all 41 Pentagon advisory committees to prove their value by February 21
- Critics argue DEI initiatives have undermined military cohesion by prioritizing identity politics over merit
- The Trump administration aims to restore meritocracy and eliminate divisive programs in the military
- DEI policies began expanding under the Obama administration, shifting focus from combat effectiveness to diversity
- Hegseth is targeting an 8% reduction in the military’s budget through this review process
Pentagon Overhaul: Committees Must Prove Their Worth
All active Defense Department advisory committees have been given a deadline to justify their existence as part of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s broader mission to restore combat readiness as the military’s primary focus.
The February 21 deadline requires committees to submit detailed information including their purpose, member lists, operating costs, and benefits to the Department. According to the directive, committees must also propose recommendations for their retention, with Pentagon official Lekecia Gamble making it clear that “there will be no opportunity for extensions.”
This marks the second comprehensive review of advisory committees in just five years. In 2021, then-Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin dissolved most advisory committees for what was described as a “zero-based review.”
That action came partly in response to last-minute appointments made by former President Trump before leaving office. The current review specifically targets committees focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), which Hegseth has publicly opposed.
The DEI Controversy in Military Culture
The military’s embrace of DEI initiatives began during the Obama administration, when military leadership increasingly adopted diversity as a strategic goal rather than focusing exclusively on combat effectiveness. Critics argue this shift has introduced identity politics into an institution traditionally built on unity of purpose and merit-based advancement. The tension between civilian social values and military necessities has been a subject of concern for decades, notably explored in Samuel Huntington’s 1957 study of civil-military relations.
Opponents of DEI in the military contend that these policies have fractured the unity essential for battlefield success by emphasizing differences rather than shared mission and values. They point to controversial statements by military leaders like General Mark Milley’s comments on “white rage” as evidence of political ideology infiltrating leadership ranks. The concern extends beyond rhetoric to practical matters of recruitment, training standards, and promotion criteria.
Restoring the Warrior Ethos
The Trump administration has made restoring what it sees as the traditional military ethos a priority. Hegseth has established a task force specifically to eliminate DEI initiatives within the Department of Defense, viewing them as distractions from the core mission of national defense. The scrutiny of advisory committees, including the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS) and the Defense Advisory Committee on Diversity and Inclusion, is part of this broader effort.
When the DACOWITS was dissolved in 2021, it sparked significant outcry and was later restored. Now it faces review again, highlighting the pendulum swing in priorities between administrations. The current administration believes that focusing on combat readiness rather than social engineering will rebuild public trust in the military, which has experienced declining confidence in recent years according to public opinion surveys.
Budget Implications and Future Direction
Beyond philosophical concerns, Hegseth’s review has practical budget implications, with the Defense Secretary aiming to reduce the military’s budget by 8%. Advisory committees represent a small but symbolic portion of potential savings. As of fiscal 2024, there are 41 Pentagon advisory boards under scrutiny, with those focused on diversity initiatives likely facing the most challenging path to justifying their continued existence.
The review signals a significant shift in military priorities, moving away from what critics characterize as ideological conformity back toward combat effectiveness as the primary measure of military value. For supporters of this change, it represents a necessary correction to preserve America’s military advantage. For defenders of DEI initiatives, it raises concerns about inclusivity and representation within the armed forces. The deadline approaches with the future of numerous committees hanging in the balance.