SECRETARY
OF
DEFENSE
1000
DEFENSE
PENTAGON
WASHINGTON
,
DC
20301-1000
MAY
- 9
2025
MEMORANDUM FOR SENIOR PENTAGON LEADERSHIP
DEFENSE AGENCY AND DOD FIELD ACTIVITY DIRECTORS
SUBJECT: Certification
of
Merit-Based Military Service Academy Admissions
The Military Service Academies (MSA) are elite warfighting institutions with long
histories
of
producing world class military officers. The Department owes it
to
our Nation, our
Service members, and the young Americans applying
to
the MSAs
to
ensure admissions to these
prestigious institutions are based exclusively on merit. This ensures only the most qualified
candidates are admitted, trained,
ana ultimately
~issioned
to
lead the finest fighting force in
history. Selecting anyone but the best erodes lethality, our warfighting readiness, and undercuts
the culture
of
excellence in our Armed Forces.
In alignment with my January 29, 2025 memorandum, "Restoring America's Fighting
Force," I direct the Secretaries
of
the Military Departments
to
certify within 30 days that, for
purposes
of
the 2026 MSA admissions cycle,
as
well as all subsequent admissions cycles, the
MSA admissions offices will:
1)
Apply 23sconsideration
of
race, ethnicity, or sex; and
2) Offer admission based exclusively on merit.
Merit-based scores may give weight
to
unique athletic talent or other experiences such
as
prior military service or performance at a MSA preparatory school.
Going forward, MSAs shall rank-order candidates
by
merit-based scores within each
nomination category
as
described in
10
U.S.C.
§§
7442, 7443 , 8454, 8456, 9442, and 9443. It is
the Department' s expectation that the highest-ranking candidates within each nomination
category should receive appointments.
I direct the Under Secretary
of
Defense for Personnel and Readiness to certify the MSAs
are compliant with merit-based admissions processes upon the completion
of
the 2026
admissions cycle.
The Department must remain steadfast
in
its pursuit
of
excellence and never compromise
the high standards at our MSAs. A strong officer corps
is
essential
to
ensuring the United States
military remains the most lethal the world has ever known.
I
11
Ill
OSD004808-25/CMD006171-25
