The Pentagon has officially put an end to identity months.
The Department of Defense will no longer allocate “official resources, including man-hours” for the observance of “cultural awareness months,” according to guidance issued by Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth on Friday, just ahead of Black History Month, which started on Saturday.
The celebrations that are being called out include 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.
“We are proud of our warriors and their history, but we will focus on the character of their service instead of their immutable characteristics,” the guidance states. It also mentions that service members and civilians are welcome to attend such events “in an unofficial capacity outside of duty hours.”
Hegseth’s directive came on the same day that President Donald Trump issued a proclamation recognizing Black History Month.
On 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 asked Friday if agencies that had canceled their Black History Month activities should restore them in light of the proclamation, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt responded by telling reporters, “the president is leading here at the White House.”
{Matzav.com}