In a sweeping move to refocus the U.S. military on combat readiness and merit-based leadership, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed the Department of Defense to establish the Restoring America’s Fighting Force Task Force. The new initiative says it aims to reinforce a military culture rooted in individual excellence, accountability, and national security imperatives.
“The Department of Defense has an obligation to the American public to ensure their sons and daughters serve under the best leadership we can provide,” Hegseth stated. “A foundational tenet of the DoD must always be that the most qualified individuals are placed in positions of responsibility in accordance with merit-based, color-blind policies.”
At the core of this directive is a shift away from any alleged policies that factor in race, sex, or ethnicity in hiring, promotions, and command selections. The task force, to be led by the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, will oversee the elimination of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) offices across the department, along with policies that prioritize demographic factors over readiness and performance.
A Military Focused on Warfighting
Hegseth’s memo gives task force a March 1 deadline for an initial progress report and a final report by June 1.
Among the key changes:
- No more consideration of race, sex, or ethnicity in promotions, assignments, or command appointments.
- The elimination of diversity-based targets for military academies, career fields, and unit composition.
- The removal of training related to Critical Race Theory, DEI, or gender ideology across the military and service academies.
- The disbanding of advisory boards or councils focused on gender, race, or DEI-related initiatives.
This overhaul aligns with President Donald J. Trump’s executive order Restoring America’s Fighting Force, issued Monday, which explicitly prohibits preferential treatment based on race, sex, or ethnicity in military decision-making.
The Road Ahead
For supporters, the move ensures the military operates as a meritocracy where the most capable rise to leadership. Critics, however, argue that removing DEI initiatives could impact efforts to maintain an inclusive and representative force.
Regardless of the debate, the Pentagon’s marching orders are clear: mission readiness, lethality, and warfighting capability take precedence. As Hegseth put it, “To do this, we must have a lethal fighting force that rewards individual initiative, excellence, and hard work based on merit.”
With the task force now in motion, all eyes will be on the Pentagon’s first report in March to see how this shift takes shape.
