Hegseth Orders Merit-Only Admissions for U.S. Military Academies

In a bold move, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has issued a directive to the nation’s top military academies—West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the U.S. Air Force Academy—mandating that all future admissions be based solely on merit. The memo, sent Friday, underscores a commitment to excellence, aiming to ensure that only the most qualified candidates shape the future of America’s armed forces.

Hegseth’s directive emphasizes that merit-based admissions will prioritize measurable qualifications, such as athletic prowess, prior military service, or performance at preparatory schools, while explicitly excluding considerations of race, ethnicity, or sex. This shift, he argues, is critical to maintaining the lethality and readiness of the U.S. military. “Selecting anything less than the best undermines our warfighting culture,” Hegseth wrote, setting a 30-day deadline for military department secretaries to certify compliance.

The policy reflects a broader push to uphold rigorous standards at institutions tasked with forging the military’s next generation of leaders. By focusing on individual achievement, Hegseth aims to strengthen the officer corps, ensuring the U.S. military remains a global powerhouse.