Hegseth Blocks 7 Navy Promotions, Leaving No Female Admiral Likely in 2026
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 14
Hegseth Blocks 7 Navy Promotions, Leaving No Female Admiral Likely in 2026
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 14
Summary
Seven senior Navy officers were pulled from promotion to two-star admiral, including five women or people of color, in an unusual intervention by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
A 22-officer board-selected list had identified the nominees as top performers after careers of more than 25 years, but officials said Hegseth removed seven without giving a formal rationale.
Rear Adm. Amy Bauernschmidt — the first woman chosen to command a U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in 2020 — was among those blocked.
The move is expected to leave the Navy without any female active-duty officer promoted to admiral this year for the first time in more than a decade.
Hegseth has argued that military promotions have favored women and people of color over white men, criticizing what he calls "affirmative action promotions" in his 2024 book.
As the Pentagon redefines merit, what is the future for women and minorities in the U.S. military?
How will removing combat-proven commanders affect the Navy's readiness for a potential future conflict?
40 Senior Promotions Blocked: Hegseth’s Ideological Overhaul of Military Leadership Faces Legal and Congressional Backlash
Overview
In early 2026, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth blocked the promotions of seven senior Navy officers to two-star admiral rank, including five women or people of color. This unprecedented move sparked major controversy, especially since it means no female active-duty naval officers are likely to be promoted to admiral this year for the first time in over a decade. Critics, including former military officials, described Hegseth’s actions as meddling and stripping autonomy from service secretaries. Notably, Rear Adm. Amy Bauernschmidt, the first woman to command a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, was among those removed from the promotion list, highlighting the impact on diversity and leadership in the Navy.