The U.S. Army has officially scrapped its controversial Command Assessment Program, which aimed to eliminate bias in leadership promotions through subjective assessments, psychological evaluations, and peer reviews. The program, designed during the last decade to promote “equity” in officer selection, is being discontinued due to low participation and questionable effectiveness.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth praised the move as a return to military readiness over ideology writing on X, “Promotions across [Department of Defense] will ONLY be based on merit & performance.”
The Command Assessment Program, which began in 2020, required officers to undergo behavioral testing, psychological screenings, and evaluations by peers to be considered for key command roles. It was marketed as a tool to reduce implicit bias and improve diversity in leadership. However, recent Army reviews showed the system discouraged capable officers from applying and added bureaucracy without measurable improvements in leadership quality.
Reports indicated that of the senior officers who qualified for leadership roles, over 50% never applied due to the CAP process.
The Army’s decision to cancel the program reflects growing backlash against DEI-driven reforms in the military. The program’s end follows broader Republican efforts to push back against politicization in the ranks, an issue that has drawn increasing concern from service members and veterans.
The Army will return to its previous assessment process: the Centralized Selection Board/List, (CSL). The CSL board assesses each candidate based on merit in performance in prior roles.
By eliminating the Command Assessment Program, the Army signals a shift back to clear standards and leadership development based on performance, not political fashion.
