Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has recently halted the promotions of seven senior Navy officers to the rank of two-star admiral, officials familiar with the matter said. Of those affected, five are women or individuals of color. This decision marks a significant shift for the Navy, as it likely means no active-duty female naval officers will achieve admiral rank this year, a development not seen in over a decade.

The original promotion list included 22 officers selected by a board of senior admirals. These officers were recognized for their exceptional performance over careers spanning more than 25 years. Among those removed was Rear Adm. Amy Bauernschmidt, who had been slated to become the first woman to command one of the Navy’s 11 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. Officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Hegseth did not provide an explanation for removing Bauernschmidt or the other officers from the promotion list.

Hegseth has been vocal in recent years about his views on military promotions, asserting that there has been an overemphasis on advancing women and people of color over white men. In his 2024 book, "The War on Warriors," he criticized affirmative action in military leadership selections, though without providing supporting data. Statistics indicate that women compose roughly 21 percent of the active-duty Navy but hold only about 7 percent of admiral positions.

Since assuming his role, Hegseth has removed or sidelined more than two dozen generals and admirals, including Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the Navy’s first female four-star admiral, whom he dismissed last year. In total, approximately 40 senior officers selected by peer boards have been taken off promotion lists under his leadership, with women and Black officers comprising a majority of those removed.

The removal decisions have prompted criticism from Senate Democrats. In a July 6 letter, seven senators expressed concern that Hegseth’s actions disregarded the officers’ professional achievements and appeared to conflict with the principle of an apolitical military. They also questioned whether the removals violated Pentagon policies, which stipulate that officers may only be removed from promotion consideration for moral, mental, physical, or professional failings affecting leadership capability. The senators requested demographic data about the officers removed, the legal basis for their removal, and Hegseth’s rationale.

The Pentagon declined to comment on Hegseth’s decisions and accused media inquiries into the matter of focusing excessively on race and identity. The Navy also refrained from commenting.

Hegseth’s previous statements on women in the military have drawn attention. Prior to his nomination as defense secretary, he criticized the 2015 policy change allowing women to serve in ground combat roles, arguing it did not improve effectiveness. He later softened his stance during his confirmation hearing, emphasizing that standards should remain consistent regardless of gender.

Most Navy combat positions have been open to women since 1993. Rear Adm. Bauernschmidt, an alumna of the Naval Academy who began her career as a helicopter pilot and later trained for nuclear-powered command, described the opportunities afforded by this policy as transformative. She commanded the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln during a period of heightened U.S.-China tensions in the Western Pacific. Despite her achievements and support from senior officers, including four-star admirals, she has been removed from consideration for promotion.

Reports indicate that some officers removed from promotion lists have chosen to retire, while Bauernschmidt has indicated her intention to continue pursuing the promotion she earned. The broader impact of these promotion decisions has sparked reflection among current and former Navy personnel about the recent contraction of opportunities for women in the service. Observers note that progress once symbolized by milestones, such as the appointment of the first female surface warfare commander in 1989, now faces setbacks under the current leadership.