Overview

• A memo signed by Acting Undersecretary Timothy Dill mandates all military educational institutions identify and sequester books promoting 'divisive concepts' such as race and gender ideology.
• The directive includes a standardized list of search terms, such as 'affirmative action,' 'anti-racism,' and 'white privilege,' to guide the identification process.
• A temporary Academic Libraries Committee will oversee the review and provide further guidance, but the ultimate decision on whether flagged books will be stored or destroyed remains unspecified.
• The U.S. Naval Academy has already removed nearly 400 books under similar policies, with West Point and the Air Force Academy conducting comparable reviews.
• The initiative is part of a broader campaign to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion content across the Department of Defense, drawing sharp criticism from civil rights groups and academics.