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War Department Secretary Pete Hegseth has disbanded a long-standing Pentagon advisory panel on women in the military, stating that its work no longer aligns with the administration’s goals.
Press secretary Kingsley Wilson announced the decision Tuesday, writing that Hegseth had chosen to terminate the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services, known as DACOWITS.
“Secretary Hegseth has decided to terminate the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services,” Wilson said in a statement. She added that Hegseth viewed the group’s focus as incompatible with military priorities.
“The committee is focused on advancing a divisive feminist agenda that hurts combat readiness,” Wilson said. “Secretary Hegseth has focused on advancing uniform, sex-neutral standards across the department.”
Hegseth faced criticism during his confirmation hearings for past comments about women serving in combat. At the time, he said he supported women in the armed forces broadly but continued to express concerns about combat roles.
DACOWITS, according to Pentagon documents, was made up of civilian women and men appointed by the secretary to provide recommendations on recruitment, retention, integration and treatment of women in the armed forces.
“As one of the oldest War Department advisory committees, DACOWITS’ recommendations have historically been instrumental in effecting changes to laws and policies pertaining to military women. Since 1951, the Committee has submitted over 1,100 recommendations to the Secretary of War for consideration. As of 2025, approximately 94% have been either fully or partially adopted by the Department,” the group’s website noted.
The move comes as Pentagon data shows rising female enlistment. An Aug. 15 report indicated a sharp increase in women joining the military compared to the previous administration under President Joe Biden.
Wilson said enlistment numbers reflect enthusiasm for the administration’s direction.
“Leadership matters, and women are excited to serve under the strong leadership of Secretary Hegseth and President [Donald] Trump,” she said, noting a roughly 30% increase in enlistments since Trump returned to office in January.