Pentagon Ends DACOWITS Citing 'Divisive' Agenda

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered termination of the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS), and a Sept. 17 memo directs its formal disestablishment and realignment of personnel and contracts. Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson said the panel’s work “advances a divisive feminist agenda that hurts combat readiness,” and the department intends to pursue uniform, sex‑neutral standards. Established in 1951, DACOWITS advised the Pentagon on recruitment, retention, equipment, maternity and other policies affecting servicewomen, and its reports say a large majority of recommendations have been adopted over decades. Supporters, including several female veteran lawmakers, warned the move will create gaps in data and policy guidance; critics also pointed to the panel’s work on reproductive‑health access after the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Implementation of the termination will follow steps required under the Federal Advisory Committee Act as the department archives records and reassigns resources, and the decision has drawn bipartisan attention.