The Pentagon has recently instructed military leaders to review and delete library books associated with diversity, anti-racism, or gender issues within a two-week timeframe. This directive, issued in a memo signed by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegses, represents a significant move to eliminate programs and materials related to diversity and equity across military institutions.
Earlier this spring, the US Naval Academy already removed around 400 books that promoted diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) during a review process, with similar actions taking place at West Point and the Air Force Academy. However, this new directive expands upon those efforts, requiring all military educational establishments, including the War College, to pinpoint library materials seen as contrary to core military values and to address them by May 21st.
In addition, Hegses emphasized that military academies must ensure that admissions follow meritocratic principles, explicitly stating that race, ethnicity, or gender should not influence decisions. This move aims to highlight candidates’ qualifications, asserting that the military must train leaders for combat effectively.
This directive is the latest in a series of actions aimed at diminishing DEI initiatives, echoing efforts launched during the Trump administration. Notably, a library book committee — comprised of military leaders and educational experts — will provide guidance on which texts to review and potentially remove. They have already established a list of terms used to identify books that encourage positive behaviors related to anti-racism and gender identity.
The ongoing review and possible removal of these materials have raised questions about the future of diversity initiatives within military structures.
