The same day Trump advocates for Black History Month, Hegseth eliminates Pentagon’s ‘identity months’
The Defense Department has announced that it will cease utilizing “official resources, including man-hours” for the celebration of “cultural awareness months.”
TroibNews 
The Pentagon has officially discontinued the acknowledgment of “cultural awareness months.” According to guidance issued by Defense Department chief Pete Hegseth on Friday, the military will cease utilizing “official resources, including man-hours,” for these celebrations. This announcement came just before the start of Black History Month on Saturday.
Among the celebrations that have been mentioned are 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 guidance states, “We are proud of our warriors and their history, but we will focus on the character of their service instead of their immutable characteristics.” It also clarifies that service members and civilians may participate in events “in an unofficial capacity outside of duty hours.”
Hegseth's directives were issued on the same day that President Donald Trump made a proclamation recognizing Black History Month.
On that Friday, Trump called “upon public officials, educators, librarians, and all the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.”
When questioned about whether agencies that had canceled their Black History Month activities should bring them back in light of the proclamation, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt informed reporters, “the president is leading here at the White House.”
A Pentagon spokesperson has not yet provided a response to a request for comment.
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
Among the celebrations that have been mentioned are 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 guidance states, “We are proud of our warriors and their history, but we will focus on the character of their service instead of their immutable characteristics.” It also clarifies that service members and civilians may participate in events “in an unofficial capacity outside of duty hours.”
Hegseth's directives were issued on the same day that President Donald Trump made a proclamation recognizing Black History Month.
On that Friday, Trump called “upon public officials, educators, librarians, and all the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.”
When questioned about whether agencies that had canceled their Black History Month activities should bring them back in light of the proclamation, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt informed reporters, “the president is leading here at the White House.”
A Pentagon spokesperson has not yet provided a response to a request for comment.
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
