The Defense Department canceled all official celebrations of months honoring race and identity in an order issued Jan. 31, 2025, on the eve of the start of Black History Month. The ban affects all components and departments in the military and is effective immediately. (Brittany Chase/U.S. Air Force)
All official monthly celebrations related to race and identity in the Defense Department are banned effective immediately, under an order issued late Friday saying such initiatives divide the force.
The decision comes at the start of Black History Month, which typically entails various celebrations at military installations around the world. The guidance was issued under the title “Identity Months Dead at DoD.”
“Our unity and purpose are instrumental to meeting the Department’s warfighting mission. Efforts to divide the force — to put one group ahead of another — erode camaraderie and threaten mission execution,” the Pentagon statement said.
The directive applies to all components and departments in the military, which are prohibited from using official resources, including man-hours, to host celebrations or events related to cultural awareness months. Instead of traditional identity celebrations, military units were encouraged to recognize “the valor and success of military heroes of all races, genders, and backgrounds as we restore our warrior culture and ethos,” the Pentagon said.
The Defense Department announcement coincided with a possibly conflicting proclamation Friday by the White House recognizing February as Black History Month. The White House called on public officials to mark the occasion as appropriate.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has taken aim at various diversity efforts since taking over leadership of the Pentagon, following the lead of President Donald Trump.
In an interview Wednesday with Fox News, Hegseth said “one of the dumbest phrases in military history is ‘our diversity is our strength.’ ”
“Our diversity is not our strength,” Hegseth added. “Our unity and our shared purpose is our strength.”
Executive orders have directed the military to abolish DOD social media and websites of content pertaining to diversity, equity and inclusion, and also have paved the way for banning transgender people from serving in the military.
Various history month celebrations have been a staple at military installations for years, with Black History Month being the most high-profile of them all.
Activities related to the occasion are wide-ranging and involve events ranging from speeches by special guests to potlucks, fashion events and ceremonies detailing the contributions of Black service members over the decades.
While the ban prohibits official events, service members and civilians “remain permitted to attend these events in an unofficial capacity outside of duty hours,” DOD said.
For Defense Department schools, much like regular American public schools, Black History Month also gets considerable attention.
The Pentagon directive did not specifically mention DOD schools, but the guidance said it applies to all departments. That means schools may need to adjust plans come Monday.
The Defense Department Education Activity was not immediately available to comment on the directive Saturday.
Other heritage months previously recognized by the military highlighted achievements by women, Asian American and Pacific Islanders, Hispanics and Native Americans.
