The Secretary of Defense has instructed the Secretaries of the Military Departments to ensure that their admissions processes are race-, ethnicity-, and sex-blind. This directive requires the Military Service Academies (MSAs) to certify within 30 days that admissions will be solely merit-based starting with the 2026 cycle. The Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness will oversee adherence to this new policy.
According to Chief Pentagon Spokesman and Senior Advisor Sean Parnell, "The MSAs are the cornerstone of the Department's efforts to produce the world-class military officers required to lead a ready, lethal fighting force that is prepared to deter war and defend our nation." He added, "Policies like this enable the Department to develop a strong officer corps, foster a culture of excellence, and achieve the mission, now and in the future."
A memorandum detailing these changes has been made available for public access.
