Pentagon orders immediate halt

The US Department of Defense has ordered military academies to stop appointing civilian professors to tenured positions, according to a memorandum signed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The directive applies to the country’s military service academies and takes effect immediately.

The decision marks a major change in how civilian faculty will be employed at institutions including the US Military Academy at West Point, the US Naval Academy and the US Air Force Academy.

Focus shifts to military training

Hegseth said the policy is intended to refocus military academies on their core mission of preparing future officers and strengthening warfighting capabilities. He argued that tenure can contribute to academic stagnation and allow educational priorities to move away from military requirements.

The directive does not remove tenure from civilian professors who already hold it. It also does not specify what employment structure will replace tenure for newly hired civilian faculty.

Civilian professors have long played a role

Civilian faculty have been part of US military academies for decades, teaching subjects including humanities and other academic disciplines. At the Naval Academy, civilians account for roughly half of the faculty, while their share is smaller at West Point.

Academy leaders have previously said tenure helps attract and retain highly qualified civilian professors. The latest order is part of Hegseth’s broader effort to reshape military education around military readiness and the warfighting mission.