Pete Hegseth Disbands Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services, Citing Divisiveness

Pete Hegseth Disbands Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services, Citing Divisiveness

The Department of War announced on Tuesday that Secretary Pete Hegseth has officially decided to terminate the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services, commonly referred to as DACOWITS. This civilian advisory group traditionally offers recommendations on policies affecting women in the U.S. Armed Forces.

In a statement made via social media platform X, Department of War press secretary Kingsley Wilson characterized the committee as “divisive.” The statement highlighted a focus on what officials described as a feminist agenda that they believe undermines combat readiness.

Wilson stated, “The Committee is focused on advancing a divisive feminist agenda that hurts combat readiness, while Secretary Hegseth has focused on advancing uniform, sex-neutral standards across the Department.” This declaration signals a significant shift in policy and approach within the Department of War.

The DACOWITS is known for its emphasis on key issues related to recruitment, retention, employment, integration, well-being, and the treatment of service women. The committee has existed for decades, advocating for advancements in the military’s approach to gender equality.

Committee’s Role and Impact

Through a combination of briefings, written responses, expert input, and direct interactions with service member focus groups during installation visits, DACOWITS has gathered essential data to inform their recommendations. Despite its role, the committee has faced scrutiny and opposition, particularly from those who criticize its feminist agenda.

Notably, women currently represent roughly 17.7% of U.S. military personnel. The Department of War’s 2023 demographic report called for the Marine Corps to fully integrate recruit training at the platoon level and implement mixed-gender drill instructor teams. Additionally, the report emphasized the need to adopt new gender and race-sensitive body composition standards and to analyze the past decade of promotion data by gender and race.

Longstanding Influence

DACOWITS is one of the oldest advisory committees within the War Department. The committee asserts that its recommendations have historically played a crucial role in steering changes to laws and military policies affecting women. Since its inception in 1951, DACOWITS claims to have submitted over 1,100 recommendations to the Secretary of War, with a remarkable 94% of those being fully or partially adopted as of 2025.

Among the less controversial recommendations made in DACOWITS’s 2023 report were proposals for timely distribution of female-specific aviation safety gear, standardization of maternity leave, updates to maternity uniforms for functionality and professionalism, and clear distinctions between sexual harassment and gender-based discriminatory harassment.

Challenges Faced by DACOWITS

In its long history, the DACOWITS has repeatedly encountered challenges and pushback, particularly during the Bush administration, when officials scaled back its scope. Nearly 20 years ago, officials claimed that DACOWITS promoted gender quotas and that its agenda weakened the military’s fundamental purpose—effectively fighting wars.

In 2002, Nancy M. Pfotenhauer, who was president of the Independent Women’s Forum at the time, criticized the committee. She stated, “Its agenda—promoting gender quotas, women in combat roles, and gender-integrated basic training—weakens the basic purpose of the military: to fight and win wars.” This sentiment reflects a persistent divide regarding women’s roles in the military.

By disbanding DACOWITS, Secretary Hegseth aims to eliminate what he and his supporters see as a divisive element within the military structure. The Department of War has not offered any additional comments or insights following this announcement.

The Future of Women in the U.S. Military

The future of women in the U.S. military is now uncertain following this significant change. Advocates for gender equality within the Armed Forces may see this move as a setback in the ongoing struggle to enhance the representation and treatment of female service members. As debates about gender roles and diversity continue to shape military policy, it remains to be seen how these changes will affect recruitment, retention, and the overall environment for women in uniform.

As the U.S. military evolves, discussions surrounding gender equality and the integration of women into all levels of the Armed Forces are likely to persist. The impact of this decision by Secretary Hegseth will resonate in various contexts throughout the military community, opening up further dialogues on what it means to serve as a woman in the military today.