FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington, DC, June 02, 2026 National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A) stands firmly in support of a military promotion system built on merit, readiness, professionalism, and mission effectiveness.
Recent reporting that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth blocked the promotion of multiple Navy officers who had already been selected by senior Navy leaders for advancement to flag rank raises grave concerns. If accurate, these actions represent a direct threat to the integrity of a promotion system that must remain grounded in performance, qualifications, leadership, character, and service to the nation—not ideology, personal preference, race, gender, or political loyalty.
“America’s armed forces depend on the confidence of those who serve that advancement is earned through demonstrated ability and proven performance. That confidence is essential to morale, retention, readiness, and the trust between civilian leadership and the uniformed military,” said Retired Navy Rear Admiral Michael Smith, Founder and President of NSL4A. “No service member should be promoted because of race or gender. No service member should be denied promotion because of race or gender. The standard must be the same for all: competence, character, leadership, and the ability to meet the demands of service.”
For more than a decade, qualified women have served successfully in combat occupations and units across the Armed Forces, meeting the same rigorous standards required of every service member. Their service has demonstrated what military leaders have long understood: capability is determined by performance and professionalism, not by gender. Likewise, officers of every race and background have led with distinction in war, crisis, and peace. To exclude or sideline qualified officers because they do not fit a political narrative is not meritocracy. It is discrimination by another name.
NSL4A condemns any action by the Secretary of Defense that politicizes military promotions, undermines established selection processes, or substitutes ideological screening for professional military judgment. Civilian control of the military is a constitutional principle, but it is not a license to turn promotion lists into political instruments. The Secretary of Defense has a responsibility to strengthen the force, not to weaken confidence in its fairness, professionalism, and apolitical character.
Congress has a constitutional role in confirming senior military officers and an obligation to ensure that the promotion process remains free from discrimination and political manipulation. We call on Congress to conduct rigorous oversight, demand transparency from the Department of Defense, and ensure that nominations and promotions for general and flag officers remain based on merit, qualifications, performance, and the needs of the nation.
America’s military is strongest when every qualified individual willing to serve has the opportunity to advance based on demonstrated excellence. Preserving a fair, apolitical, merit-based promotion system is not only a matter of equal opportunity. It is a matter of national security.
A ready force is a capable force. A capable force is a merit-based force. America cannot afford to move backward.
Members of National Security Leaders for America are available for interviews on this issue.
About National Security Leaders for America
National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A) is a nonpartisan network of over 1,500 senior national security professionals—retired admirals, generals, senior enlisted leaders, intelligence officers, diplomats, and civilian service officials—from across the political spectrum who are united in defense of American democracy. Founded in 2021, NSL4A is a 501(c)(4) organization that advocates for democratic values, institutions, and leaders who uphold the Constitution and the rule of law. Our members offer expert, real-world insights on the national security implications of election integrity, civil-military relations, and democratic resilience.
Media Contact: CommDirector@nsl4a.org
Congress can impeach & remove Hegseth or any federal officer. So far, most are in 47’s pocket & are failing to defend the constitution = complicit in the Trump Vance campaign to end democracy & establish corrupt dictatorship.