DOD Watch Statement on New York Times Reporting on Military Promotions

WASHINGTON – DOD Watch issued the following statement in response to recent reporting by The New York Times on military promotions under Secretary Hegseth.

“Once again, legacy media outlets are attempting to manufacture outrage over a return to merit-based leadership within the United States military. Under President Trump and Secretary Hegseth, sanity has been restored. Promotions are no longer driven by ideological litmus tests, demographic quotas, or the ever-shifting demands of the woke establishment, they are earned based on performance, character, and the ability to lead warfighters in defense of this nation.

“For years, the Pentagon drifted from its core mission, prioritizing DEI and virtue signaling over combat readiness and battlefield effectiveness. The result was a weakened force, plagued by lowered standards and distracted leadership. Those days are over. The American people deserve a military that rewards excellence, not identity; our national security depends on it. 

“We trust that Secretary Hegseth is advancing leaders who have demonstrated the competence, integrity, and toughness required to restore the military’s focus on strength and lethality. This is not controversial, it is common sense. Judging individuals by their merits rather than the color of their skin or their gender is the only approach consistent with a merit-driven fighting force.  

“The mission of the U.S. military is to win wars. That requires leaders selected for their ability to perform under pressure, make difficult decisions, and ensure mission success. As the military refocuses on readiness, discipline, and excellence, we will continue to support efforts that prioritize merit over ideology.” 

About DOD Watch: DOD Watch is dedicated to examining and informing the public about wokeness in the Department of War. By increasing public awareness of radical policies and practices infiltrating the Pentagon, DOD Watch aims to return the U.S. military to its mission of national defense through the traditional values of strength, excellence, and unity.

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