In a significant shift, the Army has decided to discontinue a system introduced during the Biden administration that prioritized addressing bias over combat readiness.
The Command Assessment Program (CAP), initially a pilot initiative, was solidified under the leadership of former Army Secretary Christine Wormuth. This decision marks a return to traditional evaluation methods, as reported by Military Times.
According to Western Journal, the CAP was designed to identify both conscious and unconscious biases in candidates vying for command positions. However, the program faced criticism for its approach.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed his approval of the program's termination, stating on X, "Good riddance," and emphasizing that "Promotions across @DeptofDefense will ONLY be based on merit & performance." The CAP had replaced the Army's Centralized Selection Board/List, which focused on evaluating candidates based on their performance.
The CAP system did not seem to enhance interest in promotions, as evidenced by the fact that in 2024, 54 percent of officers opted out of participating in the program, a notable increase from the 40 percent average prior to its implementation. Although there were considerations to adapt the CAP, Army officials ultimately decided to abandon it.
Maj. Travis Shaw, an Army representative, noted that officers will now be assessed based on past assignments, "demonstrated potential," and performance, as highlighted by Task and Purpose.
In January, Hegseth called for the establishment of a "restoring Americas fighting force task force," underscoring the Pentagon's primary mission to "win the nations wars." He stressed the importance of cultivating "a lethal fighting force that rewards individual initiative, excellence, and hard work based on merit."
Hegseth also made it clear that when it comes to promotions, "the department will not consider sex, race, or ethnicity when considering individuals for promotion, command, or special duty," and he stated that quotas would be prohibited.
This decision reflects a broader commitment to traditional values within the military, emphasizing merit-based advancement and individual excellence. The Army's move to revert to its previous evaluation system signals a return to prioritizing combat readiness and effectiveness over social engineering initiatives.
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