Pentagon Changing Promotion Process to ‘Battlefield’ Assessment
The new review will weigh merit, fitness and combat effectiveness as the Pentagon seeks to reshape officer promotions.
- On Tuesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the military will begin evaluating colonels and Navy captains for one-star positions through a new Joint Warfighter Evaluation assessing joint warfare capability.
- Since taking office, Hegseth, a 46-year-old Army National Guard veteran and former Fox News host, has prioritized merit and combat effectiveness in promotions, arguing the military previously promoted leaders based on race and gender quotas.
- Scheller, a former Marine lieutenant colonel who criticized the Afghanistan withdrawal, now serves as Hegseth's senior adviser; the Pentagon maintains a Joint Qualification System recognizing officers for joint assignments and training completed throughout their careers.
- Hegseth has already blocked multiple Navy, Air Force and Army promotions to one-star positions, with some previously reported blocks including African Americans and women, though Pentagon policy permits defense secretaries to halt promotions for professional or moral failings.
- Critical questions remain about how the Pentagon will define and measure joint warfighting ability across career fields that rarely participate in joint operations, as Hegseth contends strong commanders are vital to military victory.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Hegseth Unveils “Warfighter” Test For Future Generals
The Washington Examiner reports: War Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the latest development in his mission to bring more merit-based standards to the U.S. military on Tuesday, rolling out what he is calling a “Joint Warfighter Evaluation” for select general promotions. “Starting this year, eligible O-6s — that’s colonels and Navy captains — screening for one star will undergo this assessment to stratify their ability to fight, adapt, and win,” …
Hegseth announces new Pentagon battlefield test for promotions to general
The Pentagon is altering the promotion process to get to the rank of general in an effort to “cut bureaucracy and demand true meritocracy” across the senior ranks, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Tuesday. In a video posted to the social platform X, Hegseth declared the Defense Department this year will roll out the Joint…
Hegseth announces 'Joint Warfighter Evaluation' as 'equalizer' for selecting generals
War Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the latest development in his mission to bring more merit-based standards to the U.S. military on Tuesday, rolling out what he is calling a “Joint Warfighter Evaluation” for select general promotions. “Starting this year, eligible O-6s — that’s colonels and Navy captains — screening for one star will undergo this […]
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