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May 9, 2025
Release

Statement by Chief Pentagon Spokesman and Senior Advisor, Sean Parnell, on Certification of Merit-Based Military Service Academy Admissions

Today the Secretary of Defense directed the Secretaries of the Military Departments to certify their admissions are race-, ethnicity-, and sex-blind. Within 30 days, the Military Service Academies (MSAs) must confirm that admission will be based exclusively on merit for the 2026 admissions cycle and beyond. The Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness will oversee compliance with this guidance.

The MSAs are the cornerstone of the Department's efforts to produce the world-class military officers required to lead a ready, lethal fighting force that is prepared to deter war and defend our nation. Policies like this enable the Department to develop a strong officer corps, foster a culture of excellence, and achieve the mission, now and in the future.

The memo can be found here.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4180456/