On Friday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth instructed the military academy to refrain from factoring in “racial, ethnic, or gender” aspects during its admissions. This move adds to the ongoing efforts of the Trump administration to undermine the Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the Pentagon.
Hegseth stated, “The Academy of Military Service (MSA) is an esteemed combat organization that has a rich legacy of developing top-tier military officers.” In a note to senior Defense Department officials, he emphasized the need for admissions to focus on merit alone.
“We owe it to our nation, our service members, and the young Americans aspiring to join the MSA to base admissions strictly on qualifications,” he continued. “This approach will ensure that we only acknowledge and train the most capable candidates, who will ultimately lead some of the finest combat forces in history.”
He cautioned that failing to select the most suitable individuals could weaken military readiness and harm the overall culture of excellence.
The directive aims to foster “meritism” and remove any discrimination based on race or gender in line with a January executive order from President Trump, which instructed military academies to disregard such considerations and to focus explicitly on merit for the 2026 admission cycle.
Hegseth noted that MSAs like the US Military Academy at West Point, the US Naval Academy, and the US Air Force Academy could give preference to candidates with exceptional athletic skills or significant experiences, such as prior military service.
“Moving forward, the MSA will evaluate candidates based on merit-based scores,” stated the Pentagon chief, indicating that the Department of Defense anticipates that only the highest-ranked candidates will be accepted.
“The department must persist in its commitment to excellence and must not lower the standards of the MSA,” Hegseth added. “A strong corps of officers is critical to maintain the US military’s reputation as the most formidable force globally.”
In 2023, a landmark ruling by the Supreme Court prohibited explicit consideration of race in college admissions, effectively dismantling affirmative action programs at institutions like Harvard and the University of North Carolina.
However, the Supreme Court’s ruling did not encompass the US military academy, especially regarding the US Military Academy at West Point.
Under the Biden administration, West Point faced criticism for allegedly establishing quotas for the inclusion of Black, Hispanic, and Asian cadets in its classes.
In 2023, West Point reported that approximately 38% of the incoming class of 2027 was Asian American, while around 14% were Hispanic, 11% Black, and 1% Native American.
