U.S. begins holistic review of military, to promote officers base on performance in the field
By: Zagazola Makama
The United States government has commenced a comprehensive review of its military officer promotion and selection processes to ensure fairness, transparency, and meritocracy in the advancement of personnel within the Armed Forces.
The initiative is aimed at reinforcing the integrity of the U.S. military’s leadership development and talent management systems.
The move was announced in a memorandum signed by Mr. Jules W. Hurst III, who is performing the duties of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness.
According to the memo, the Office of the Under Secretary will examine key aspects of the Department of Defense’s (DoD) officer promotion system, including the current performance evaluations, selection boards, command assignments, and the impact of Professional Military Education (PME) on officer advancement.
The review will also assess Department of Defense Instruction 1320.14, titled “DoD Commissioned Officer Promotion Program Procedures,” issued on Dec. 16, 2020.
Hurst stressed the need for objective standards and measurable criteria in the selection of military leaders, stating that the Secretary of Defense is committed to a process that is “fair, transparent, colorblind, and merit-based.”
“This holistic review of military officer promotion and selection processes across the Department will provide valuable feedback to the Services and to my office concerning how to enhance the lethality of the force,” he said.
As part of the review, each branch of the U.S. military has been directed to designate liaison officers by July 21, 2025, for each of the four focus areas to support data gathering, virtual meetings, and field assessments.
The review is part of broader efforts to ensure that the best talent is selected to lead the U.S. military in an evolving global security environment.
