Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has blocked the promotion of at least 40 senior officers to the ranks of general and admiral this year. Among these officers, approximately half are women or individuals from minority groups.
One notable case involves Rear Adm. Stephen D. Barnett, a highly regarded officer in the Navy. He was seen as the leading candidate to command the Navy’s bases, domestically and worldwide. Admiral Barnett had more experience than other candidates and had effectively handled a significant crisis—a fuel spill at a Hawaii base that contaminated an aquifer and affected many people’s health.
Despite Admiral Barnett’s qualifications, the decision regarding his promotion rested with Defense Secretary Hegseth. Many in the Navy believed Admiral Barnett’s promotion was assured due to his track record. However, his push for diversity, a move to recruit and retain minority officers, became a sticking point. His remarks on the need for diversity were scrutinized through a confidential vetting process aiming to identify leaders Hegseth viewed as problematic.
In the end, Secretary Hegseth chose to promote a white officer, who was not the Navy leadership’s top choice, to the position. This move has sparked discussions within the Navy, especially given the high number of blocked promotions involving minorities and women this year.