U.S. Department of Defense Halts Observance of “Identity Months”

In a newly issued directive, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced that the Department of Defense (DoD) will end the official observance of cultural and heritage “identity months.” The policy, effective immediately, discontinues the use of official resources—including funding and personnel hours—to celebrate or host events for Black History Month (National African American 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 guidance, the DoD’s focus will instead be on “the character of [service members’] service instead of their immutable characteristics.” Secretary Hegseth emphasized that “efforts to divide the force—putting one group ahead of another—erode camaraderie and threaten mission execution.” He underscored that the unity and purpose of the armed forces are vital to meeting the department’s warfighting mission.

Under the new directive, service members and civilian employees are still permitted to attend cultural or heritage-related events, but only in an unofficial capacity and outside their duty hours. Military installations, units, and offices are encouraged to recognize “the valor and success of military heroes of all races, genders, and backgrounds” and to celebrate them primarily for their acts of service.

The DoD’s decision has attracted immediate attention within military communities and across the nation. While supporters of the measure argue that it fosters a single, unified identity, critics worry that it may reduce important educational opportunities and overshadow the unique contributions of underrepresented groups within the armed forces.

In a concluding statement, the Department reiterated that it remains “proud of [its] warriors and their history” but intends to “restore [a] warrior culture and ethos” by focusing on shared service values rather than formally recognizing separate cultural or identity-based observances.

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