Will Pete Hegseth’s ‘War on Woke’ Sideline Women?
AtlanticJUN 27
Pentagon Shuts Down 74-Year-Old Women's Military Committee
Above: The U.S. flag emblem is seen on a military uniform of a soldier in Krakow, Poland, on Sept. 13, 2025. Image copyright: Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto/Getty Images
The Spin
Republican narrative
This Committee had outlived its usefulness and was pushing a divisive feminist agenda that actively undermined military effectiveness. Standards have been lowered to accommodate women in combat roles, compromising the fundamental mission of fighting and winning wars. Sex-neutral standards based solely on operational demands will ensure the strongest and most capable forces. The Department can now focus on its core mission and remove politically driven initiatives that hurt combat readiness.
Democratic narrative
The 94% adoption rate of Committee recommendations demonstrates its proven, ongoing value in addressing real issues, such as equipment fit, healthcare access, and career progression barriers. The recent surge in female recruitment demonstrates the vital contribution of women to military strength. Shuttering this historic Committee eliminates crucial data collection and policy recommendations that have successfully improved both military recruitment and retention of women for over seven decades.