Overview

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a directive requiring military academies to base 2026 admissions solely on merit, excluding race, ethnicity, and sex considerations.
• The order aligns with President Trump's January 2025 executive order promoting meritocracy and eliminating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs within the Department of Defense.
• Military academy admissions may still consider factors like athletic talent and prior military service as part of merit-based evaluations.
• The directive builds on a 2023 Supreme Court ruling that banned affirmative action in higher education but exempted military academies from the decision.
• Department leaders must certify compliance with the new merit-based admissions policy within 30 days, ensuring adherence to the updated standards.