In 2025, the U.S. military is working to rebuild its strength after years of falling behind on recruitment and readiness. Under President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the military has changed direction, refocusing on its main goal: preparing to win wars. This shift has already helped the Army meet its recruitment goal four months early. But some experts warn that unless Congress takes strong action, past policies could return and weaken the military again.
During the Biden administration, the Department of Defense pushed a set of ideas known as diversity, equity, and inclusion, or DEI. These policies encouraged the military to focus on race, gender, and identity when making decisions about hiring, promotions, and academy admissions. Supporters of DEI said these changes would make the military more fair and welcoming. But critics argue that these policies distracted from the military’s mission and made it harder to recruit and train the best people.
In fact, the numbers show a sharp decline in military recruitment under Biden. By 2022, the Army missed its recruiting target by nearly 30,000 soldiers. Many blamed the drop on low morale and a sense that the armed forces were more focused on social issues than on defending the country. This was especially troubling at a time when threats from countries like China and Russia were growing.
When President Trump returned to office, he and Secretary Hegseth moved quickly to change course. They pushed out many DEI programs and brought back a focus on warfighting and readiness. So far, these changes seem to be working. Not only has recruitment improved, but more women are joining the military across all branches. This suggests that a focus on strength and mission—not identity politics—can help build a better force.
Still, some worry that these gains could be short-lived unless Congress steps in. Executive orders from the president can be reversed by a future administration. That’s why many are calling on Congress to pass new laws that remove DEI from the military for good.
The current version of the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, includes some steps in that direction. For example, one section blocks race and gender from being used in admissions at military academies. Another section removes older rules that required DEI training and goals across the Department of Defense. These are positive signs, but experts say they do not go far enough.
One of the most concerning policies still in place is a 2021 rule that says selection boards must reflect the diversity of the armed forces. Critics say this forces the military to choose leaders based on race or gender rather than skill or experience. They argue that in war, what matters most is whether a person can lead troops and win battles—not what boxes they check on a form.
To fix this, Congress would need to pass laws that clearly ban identity-based hiring and leadership decisions in the military. Some experts also say that individuals who promoted DEI policies during the Biden years should be barred from serving in future military or government roles.
The bigger issue is whether the United States wants a military focused on fighting and winning wars, or one focused on social balancing and political agendas. President Trump and Secretary Hegseth have made their position clear: the military exists to protect the country, not to serve as a testing ground for ideology.
Now it’s up to Congress to decide if it agrees. Republicans in the Senate and House have a chance to pass lasting reforms. If they fail to act, the next president could bring back DEI programs, and the military might once again struggle to meet its mission.
In the end, the question is simple: should the armed forces choose its leaders based on who can fight and win, or based on race and gender? The answer will shape the future of America’s military—and its ability to keep the country safe.
