DOD Watch Statement on Secretary Pete Hegseth’s First Full Year in Office

WASHINGTON – DOD Watch marks the first full year of Pete Hegseth’s tenure as Secretary of War, a year that represents a decisive break from the ideological drift that weakened readiness and morale across the Department of War. Under the leadership of President Donald Trump and Secretary Hegseth, the Pentagon has returned to its core mission: building a lethal, disciplined fighting force focused on winning wars. 

“One year ago, the confirmation of Pete Hegseth signaled the beginning of a long-overdue course correction. For too long, politicized social agendas displaced merit, accountability, and mission focus. That era has now been decisively rejected in favor of performance, character, and warfighting excellence.”

“In his first year, Secretary Hegseth acted swiftly to eliminate DEI bureaucracies, ban race- and sex-based preferences, and restore unified, uncompromising standards across the force. Promotions, assignments, and service academy admissions are once again based on merit and operational need, not ideological box-checking. This shift has rebuilt trust within the ranks and reaffirmed that excellence is earned.”

“Secretary Hegseth also restored seriousness and accountability to military culture and command. From reinforcing physical and leadership standards to removing ideological materials from professional military education, his leadership made clear that political correctness will not define the U.S. military. Readiness, discipline, and lethality will.”

“One year in, the results are clear. The Department of War is more focused, more disciplined, and more honest about its purpose than it has been in decades. We look forward to the continued work that the Department of War and the Administration are doing to end DEI policies and ideologies once and for all and put national security first.” 

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. ###