Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s recent decision to remove nine Navy officers from a promotion list—including all three women selected—has left many female service members questioning their career prospects and the future of women in military leadership.
Background of the Promotion Cuts
The Navy had chosen 31 captains for promotion to one-star admiral, but Hegseth intervened to strike nine names, among them three women and two Black men, according to a defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity. As a result, no women will advance to one-star admiral this year, despite women comprising about a quarter of all Navy officers and nearly a third of midgrade ranks, per 2024 military data.
The Associated Press interviewed eight female Navy officers of varying ranks, all speaking anonymously due to fear of retribution. Junior officers saw the cuts as a sign that their careers could become politicized if they rose too high, with some feeling less valued and questioning whether that was intended.
Pentagon’s Stance and Navy’s Process
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated on social media that promotions are based on merit, not race or gender. The Navy’s promotion process involves a board that evaluates officers on performance, competence, and character. The board that selected the initial slate was directed by then-Navy Secretary John Phelan to choose the best qualified, with special consideration for expertise in the Indo-Pacific region per the Trump administration’s National Defense Strategy.
Hegseth has long argued, without evidence, that women receive preferential treatment and are unsuited for combat, claiming such practices make the military less capable. Phelan’s order explicitly prohibited discrimination based on race or sex.
Break from Tradition
The full list was approved by Phelan, Navy leaders, and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine before Hegseth made changes. While Hegseth has the authority to intervene, researcher Katherine Kuzminski of the Center for New American Security called it “a break from tradition,” noting promotions are typically the services’ business. She said Hegseth’s growing interference creates tension about future norms.
Impact on Morale and Retention
Senior officers expressed concern about the message to younger sailors. Hegseth earlier fired Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the Navy’s first female top officer, and two other female three-star admirals without explanation. Some officers encouraging women to stay in the Navy acknowledged the difficulty. Kuzminski noted that rhetoric and actions affect individual and family decisions about military careers, citing surveys showing partisan politics influence retention.
One officer said male sailors also hesitate to deal with growing politicization of following orders from previous administrations.
