WASHINGTON, D.C. — A nine-member task force from the Department of Defense (DOD) is set to tour military installations across the country as part of efforts to evaluate and enforce Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s “Restoring America’s Fighting Force” memorandum. The initiative, which was signed on January 29, 2025, seeks to overhaul department practices by eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices and focusing on merit-based advancements within the Armed Forces.
Led by Jules W. Hurst III, an Army veteran and official performing the duties of undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, the task force will conduct visits throughout April and early May. The team aims to ensure that Secretary Hegseth’s policy is uniformly understood and properly executed across all levels of the military.
“When a policy is issued, you want to ensure seamless implementation from the headquarters down to the unit level,” Hurst stated. He emphasized the importance of clear communication to prevent variances in interpretation and to address any challenges faced during implementation.
Meritocracy at the Core
The memorandum emphasizes a return to five foundational principles outlined by Hegseth, including meritocracy, lethality, accountability, readiness, and standards. Hurst highlighted merit-based practices as a key focus, stating, “This is about the Department of Defense getting back to merit-based, colorblind policies because, at the end of the day, our responsibility is to make sure that we take the best people and put them in positions of responsibility to lead America’s sons and daughters.”
Hurst added that meritocracy is critical to building a capable fighting force and reinforcing public trust. “The department owes the American people the best fighting force it can possibly muster, which involves getting the best people in positions of responsibility that are in accordance with their talents,” he said.
Nationwide Assessments
The task force is slated to visit six military installations and two service academies over the next four weeks. This phase, termed the “validation phase,” will focus on ensuring that installations have aligned their practices with the goals set forth in the memorandum.
“My team and I are traveling to installations and service academies to ensure the president and secretary’s intent and guidance are being carried out across the department. We want to hear from the leaders and service members on the ground, identify any challenges to implementation, and help our warfighters overcome these obstacles,” Hurst explained.
He noted that these site visits also serve as an opportunity to gather candid feedback. “Really, it’s an educational visit for us to make sure that we have conveyed what [President Donald J. Trump and the secretary] want [to communicate] to the force and that they understand it,” he said.
Challenges and Oversight
Addressing potential obstacles, Hurst acknowledged that discrepancies in policy interpretation often stem from varying perspectives rather than intentional noncompliance. He praised the department for “executing well” but emphasized the importance of striking a balance during implementation.
“I think the department is executing well and that organizations are exercising more diligence as they go through these processes to make sure they’re compliant [with the policy] but not overzealous,” Hurst said.
Next Steps
The task force’s findings will culminate in a final report, detailing the DOD’s progress in transitioning to merit-based practices and terminating DEI initiatives, due no later than June 1, 2025. Hurst expressed confidence in the ongoing efforts, reinforcing the importance of alignment across all DOD components.
The military services and DOD divisions are set to conduct similar validation efforts throughout the coming months, ensuring alignment with the administration’s broader objectives.
By bridging policy with practice, the task force aims to restore foundational principles within the Armed Forces, promising a streamlined, efficient approach to building the nation’s most capable fighting force.
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