Pentagon Task Force Confirms Full Elimination of DEI Initiatives Across U.S. Military

A Pentagon task force has confirmed the full implementation of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s directive to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) offices and programs throughout the Department of Defense.

According to the U.S. Department of Defense, The directive, issued in a Jan. 29 memorandum titled “Restoring America’s Fighting Force,” instructed the department to dismantle all DEI-related efforts. The RAFF (Restoring America’s Fighting Force) task force, composed of senior civilian leaders from the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, conducted validation visits to six military installations in April and early May to confirm the directive had been carried out.

Tim Dill, acting deputy undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, said each installation had already certified compliance prior to the visits. “This was our leadership’s chance to go and validate the completion that had been reported to us,” Dill said.

Dill and Jules W. Hurst III, acting undersecretary for personnel and readiness, each joined visits to ensure Secretary Hegseth’s message was conveyed directly to service members, particularly junior enlisted personnel. Dill emphasized the directive’s goal is to refocus on warfighting and unity through a shared mission—not to suppress individual cultural expression.

“[Service members] remain free to participate in any cultural observances in their free time, off installation and out of uniform,” Dill said. He noted the policy is designed to strengthen merit-based practices and clarified that it does not affect programs addressing equal opportunity or sexual harassment.

The installations visited included an Army base, a major naval station, two service academies and a joint base. Dill described these visits as the “capstone” to a broader validation effort, following dozens of service-led inspections.

Dill, a former Army Special Forces officer, said his veteran background helped build trust with the troops. “We had leaders that had walked in the shoes of the people we spoke to,” he said.

The task force will submit its final report to Hegseth by June 1. After that, the RAFF task force will formally disband, having completed its mission.