Rear Adm. Stephen D. Barnett, widely regarded by Navy leadership as the most qualified candidate to lead the Navy Installations Command—responsible for overseeing naval bases globally—was passed over for promotion in a decision made by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth earlier this year. This move surprised and angered many senior Navy officials, who viewed Admiral Barnett’s selection as nearly certain due to his extensive experience and successful management of complex challenges, including the cleanup of a major fuel spill contaminating a Hawaiian aquifer.

Admiral Barnett’s blocked promotion highlights an ongoing pattern under Secretary Hegseth’s tenure, marked by the secretive vetting and removal of at least 40 senior officers from promotion consideration, many of whom are women or from minority groups. The promotion board process, traditionally confidential and managed by service secretaries, has increasingly involved additional screenings directed by Hegseth and his aides. These searches, described internally as reviews of “derogatory material,” examine online content such as photos, videos, and news articles related to the officers’ public statements or activities, particularly those endorsing diversity initiatives or COVID-19 vaccination efforts.

This enhanced vetting process reflects Hegseth’s expressed view that prior Pentagon diversity efforts have undermined meritocracy within the military. In his 2024 book, he argues that promotions have often favored women and minority officers over more qualified candidates, asserting that troop discrimination is now more likely against white service members. This stance stands in contrast to Pentagon surveys indicating that nearly a third of Black service members report experiencing racial discrimination or harassment.

Admiral Barnett, who has spoken publicly about the value of diversity and the importance of building a force reflective of the nation, became a target partly because of past remarks made during public events such as Black History Month programs and Navy-sponsored LGBTQ Pride ceremonies. Navy internal reviews determined these statements aligned with previous official policy and contained no disqualifying content beyond “signals of empathy and inclusivity.” Despite this, Hegseth chose to promote a white officer, ranked third by Navy leadership, over Barnett.

Similarly, other prominent officers who advocated for diverse and inclusive military culture have seen their advancement hindered. Vice Adm. Sara Joyner, a decorated fighter pilot and the first woman to command a carrier air wing, was blocked from a Pentagon appointment despite support from the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Navy civilian leadership. Public documentation of their participation in diversity-related events or recruitment efforts has been cited as grounds for removal by Hegseth’s team, raising concerns among military officials.

The vetting and promotion blockage process has generally operated with a high degree of secrecy. Officers removed from promotion lists often receive no explanation, and Congress has not been fully informed of those impacted. Legislative proposals now seek to require the Defense Secretary to provide written justification and notification when removing officers from promotion consideration.

Admiral Barnett, who is expected to retire, declined to comment on these developments. A Pentagon spokesperson also did not respond to requests for detailed explanation. Meanwhile, members of the Navy and lawmakers such as Senator Mazie Hirono of Hawaii have highlighted Barnett’s professionalism and effectiveness, particularly in his leadership of the prolonged Red Hill fuel spill response, and have expressed concern about the broader implications of the vetting process on military leadership and diversity.