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First Gold Star Advisory Council Convenes as Hegseth Vows to Fix 'Broken' Support Process

The new body gives bereaved families a direct forum with senior Pentagon leaders.

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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth outside the Department of Defense. | Getty Images
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Overview

  • Secretary of War Pete Hegseth chaired the inaugural meeting Monday, marking the first council of its kind at the Secretary level.
  • Hegseth pledged to improve the Pentagon’s interactions and communications with Gold Star families, calling the casualty assistance process broken.
  • The council will meet at least twice a year to craft policy recommendations and hold the department accountable to families’ concerns.
  • Priority areas include the Casualty Assistance Program, notification procedures, and long-term care for surviving relatives.
  • Under Secretary Anthony J. Tata and Gold Star wife Jane Horton serve as co-vice chairs, and the council was established by Hegseth’s May 6 memorandum.