Restoring Merit in the Military Act

Key Points

• The bill would require every military personnel decision to be based solely on individual merit, fitness, capability, and performance. This covers hiring, promotions, assignments, command selection, and schooling selection across the entire Department of Defense.
• The bill explicitly bans the consideration of race, ethnicity, or national origin in any military personnel action throughout the Department of Defense.
• A narrow exception exists for unconventional missions in foreign countries where matching the local population's demographics could help a mission succeed. These exceptions require combatant commander approval.
• Any time the military uses this exception, the Secretary of Defense must report details to Congress within 60 days, including the mission location, staffing, demographic factors, and rationale for the decision.