The Department of Defense announced Friday that it would no longer be recognizing or spending money on identity-focused months in order to focus on unity and the mission of the military.
The announcement comes as President Donald Trump has ordered all diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives slashed from the government. In line with that direction, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said that the department will move away from politics and focus solely on lethality.
“Our unity and purpose are instrumental to meeting the Department’s warfighting mission. Efforts to divide the force – to put one group ahead of another – erode camaraderie and threaten mission execution,” the DoD said Friday afternoon.
“Going forward, DoD Components and Military Departments will not use official resources, to include man-hours, to host celebrations or events related to cultural awareness months, including National African American/Black History Month, Women’s History Month, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Pride Month, National Hispanic Heritage Month, National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and National American Indian Heritage Month,” the department added.
The DoD said service members could be permitted to attend these kind of events, but just not in an official military capacity.
“Installations, units, and offices are encouraged to celebrate the valor and success of military heroes of all races, genders, and backgrounds as we restore our warrior culture and ethos,” the department said. “We are proud of our warriors and their history, but we will focus on the character of their service instead of their immutable characteristics.”
Earlier this week, the DoD announced another big change to reverse the policies implemented under President Joe Biden.
On Wednesday, it rescinded the Biden-era abortion travel policy that paid for women in the military to travel for abortions if they were in a state with pro-life laws in place.
The policy was scrapped citing an executive order from Trump to ensure there was no taxpayer funding for abortion. The Biden policy paid for the travel, lodging, and food expenses of a woman seeking an abortion if she was stationed in a state banning abortion.
The Pentagon has also taken steps to slash any other DEI focused programs or initiatives that may have been implemented throughout the military.
