WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a sweeping move signaling a major shift in military educational policy, the Pentagon has directed all branches of the armed forces to review and pull from circulation any library books dealing with topics such as diversity, anti-racism, and gender identity by May 21.
The directive, issued Friday in a memo obtained by the Associated Press, is part of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s broader campaign to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across the Department of Defense. The order marks the most extensive and specific step yet in what critics are calling a political effort to sanitize military education.
The memo, signed by Timothy Dill who is currently acting as the Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel states that educational materials “promoting divisive concepts and gender ideology are incompatible with the Department’s core mission.” All relevant materials must be “promptly identified” and sequestered by the May deadline.
It remains unclear what will happen to the flagged books after they are removed. The memo notes that further guidance will be issued to determine which books are permanently banned and what their final “disposition” will be—whether stored, reassigned, or potentially destroyed.
