Summary

Bans the Department of Defense from discriminating based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity, or sexual orientation. It requires that eligibility and personnel decisions be based only on whether a person can meet general service standards and the requirements of a specific military job. It also states Congress’s findings that military service should be judged by merit, reflecting the nation’s history of expanding who can serve. The policy would steer DoD recruiting, assignment, promotion, and related practices to follow this nondiscrimination rule.

Key Points

• Creates a statutory ban on discrimination within DoD covering race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity, and sexual orientation.
• Requires that eligibility for service be based only on meeting general standards and the specific military job’s requirements.
• Applies to both current service members and applicants for military service.
• Includes definitions to ensure consistent, department-wide implementation.
• Reflects congressional findings that military service should be judged by merit.
• Does not create new programs or spending; relies on policy updates and enforcement within DoD.
• May require updates to recruiting, assignment, promotion, training, and complaint procedures to align with the new rule.
• Limits blanket exclusions not connected to job-related standards while preserving valid, job-related requirements.

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