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Pentagon introduces new advisory board and officer battlefield tests
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced two major initiatives aimed at restructuring leadership and advisory processes within the Pentagon.
First, the Department of Defense is establishing the Homeland Defense Board (HDB). This advisory body, capped at 20 members, will be chaired by Hegseth and is designed to provide integrated strategic advice on homeland security, cybersecurity, and regional geopolitics, particularly in the Western Hemisphere. The board aims to fill a perceived gap in specialized military advice that is not currently available through other agencies.
Second, the Pentagon is introducing the Joint Warfighter Evaluation (JWE) to reform the promotion process for senior officers. The assessment will target colonels and Navy captains seeking their first star (one-star rank). Rather than relying solely on traditional career records and performance reports, candidates will undergo simulated combat testing to measure their ability to make operational decisions under pressure.
The JWE will include various formats across the military services, such as digital simulations, AI-powered adversary responses, and in-person wargames. This initiative is intended to foster a meritocracy by emphasizing combat readiness and tactical leadership over administrative credentials.
Entities
Department of Defense · Department of War · Homeland Defense Board · Joint Warfighter Evaluation · Pentagon · Pete Hegseth
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Pete Hegseth will lead a new Pentagon advisory board focused on homeland security and defense. offthepress.com · justthenews.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Pete Hegseth previously removed all members of existing Pentagon advisory panels following a zero-based review. offthepress.com · justthenews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The board will include one civilian and one field- or mid-grade officer from each military branch. offthepress.com · justthenews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Homeland Defense Board will consist of up to 20 members. offthepress.com · justthenews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Secretary of Defense will serve as the chair of the board. offthepress.com · justthenews.com