How the White House's war on DEI is changing the Defense Department

Impact of Military Policy Changes

Recent efforts by the White House to redefine military policies, particularly around diversity and inclusion, are significantly affecting recruitment practices within the Defense Department. Longstanding participation by military recruiters at diverse events, such as the Black Engineer of the Year Awards conference, has been severely curtailed, leading to concerns about losing vital recruiting opportunities. For instance, all military services withdrew from participation this year, resulting in a lack of access to a critical pool of young talent. The shift in priorities is evident in Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's emphasis on unity over diversity, raising questions about how these policies will alter the military's ability to attract women and people of color going forward.