From The Banner · Ellie Wolfe,Matti Gellman · · 1m 20s
Hegseth ends military academy tenure for civilians
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directs military academies to stop granting tenure to civilian faculty members.
In brief
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directs military academies to stop granting tenure to civilian faculty members. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed a memo ending tenure offers for civilian faculty at military academies to refocus on warfighting. Originally reported by The Banner.
Hegseth signs memo
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed a memo directing the U.S. Department of Defense to stop appointing civilians as tenured faculty at military academies.
Military academies affected
The Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and U.S. Air Force Academy will no longer grant tenure to civilian faculty members.
Rationale for change
The memo states military academies must refocus on warfighting by eliminating civilian academic norms that dilute lethality focus.
Current faculty composition
Roughly half of the 600 Naval Academy faculty members are civilians, who teach subjects military officers don't study.
Opposition from officials
U.S. Rep. Sarah Elfreth said tenure helps military academies lead in STEM, research, and innovation by recruiting the best and brightest.
Legal concerns
Legal experts warn revoking tenure could lead to lawsuits as it breaches contracts for faculty who had tenure.
Recent changes at academy
The academy has ended affirmative action, removed books on race and gender, and purged half its board since Trump returned to office.
At a glance
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed a memo ending tenure offers for civilian faculty at military academies to refocus on warfighting.
