The U.S. Department of Defense is getting rid of Black History Month and all other cultural identity months as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth works to restore the military’s “warrior culture.”
Hegseth announced the change the day before the start of Black History Month. The same day Hegseth announced his new military guidance, President Donald Trump signed a Black History Month proclamation. On Jan. 31, Hegseth declared “Identity Months Dead at DoD.” In the guidance memo, Hegseth said no military time or money should be spent on such events.
“Our unity and purpose are instrumental to meeting the Department’s warfighting mission,” the memo said. “Efforts to divide the force – to put one group ahead of another – erode camaraderie and threaten mission execution.”
“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,” according to the memo.
Military service members and civilians are permitted to attend cultural events “in an unofficial capacity outside of duty hours,” according to the memo.
Rather than official cultural celebrations, Hegseth urged military members to celebrate military heroes of all backgrounds.
“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 memo 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.”
Hegseth’s guidance went into effect immediately.
The shift comes as the the new Secretary of Defense looks for “merit-based, color-blind” policies to restore to its “warrior culture.”
Those efforts come as the Pentagon faces growing pressure on spending issues.
In November, the U.S. Department of Defense’s annual audit once again resulted in a disclaimer. That means the federal government’s largest agency – with a budget of more than $840 billion – can’t fully explain its spending. The disclaimer this year was expected. And it’s expected again next year. The Pentagon previously said it will be able to accurately account for its spending by 2027.
