WASHINGTON D.C. — The Department of Defense (DoD) will no longer allocate official resources to hosting Cultural Awareness Month celebrations, according to new guidance from Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
The decision, effective immediately, ends official observances for National African American/Black History Month, Women’s History Month, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Pride Month, National Hispanic Heritage Month, National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and National American Indian Heritage Month.
The directive states that unity and mission readiness should take priority, cautioning that efforts emphasizing differences within the force could undermine camaraderie and military effectiveness.
“Efforts to divide the force – to put one group ahead of another – erode camaraderie and threaten mission execution,” the guidance reads.
While official celebrations will cease, service members and civilian employees are still permitted to participate in these events on their own time, outside of duty hours.
The DoD encouraged units and installations to highlight the contributions of military personnel from diverse backgrounds but emphasized that recognition should focus on service and character rather than identity.
The policy change marks a shift in the Pentagon’s approach to diversity-related programming, which has been a topic of debate in recent years.
Supporters of the move argue that it reinforces a focus on military readiness and cohesion, while critics express concern that it may diminish recognition of historically underrepresented groups.
It remains to be seen how individual military branches and installations will implement the new guidance.
DeSoto Tribune Staff