11d ago

Defense Secretary Hegseth changes military promotion standards

Pete Hegseth 2026-09-19 U.S. Department of Defense United States

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is overhauling military officer promotions based on ideological criteria, citing recruitment benefits that surveys do not support. As of September 19, 2026, approximately half of officers dismissed or blocked from advancement are women or Black service members.

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Pete Hegseth is rebuilding the military's ‘brass ceiling’

rss:defense-oneprimary11d ago kagi ↗

The SecDef says his ideological approach to promotion is helping recruiting. Surveys don't back that up.

Pete Hegseth is rebuilding the Army’s ‘brass ceiling’

stream:bsky-jetstreamother11d ago kagi ↗

theconversation.com/pete-hegseth... Half of the officers who have been fired or blocked from promotion are women or Black. A scholar who studies the US military explains why that’s dangerous.