The Pentagon has closed all joint programs with Harvard - the military will no longer be able to receive scholarships

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the US Department of Defense is terminating cooperation with Harvard University: military personnelwill no longer be able to receive departmental scholarships or undergo special military educational programs. Those who are studying at university now will be able to complete their education. Hegseth plans to review other similar programs at Ivy League universities.

“For too long, our department has sent our best and brightest officers to Harvard, hoping that the university would better understand and appreciate our military personnel. Instead, too many of our officers have returned too much like the Harvard men: with heads full of globalist and radical ideologies that do nothing to improve our fighting forces,” Hegseth said.

In late September 2025, Pete Hegseth spoke to hundreds of generals and admirals urgently summoned to the Quantico Marine Corps base in Virginia. He introduced 10 new directives covering physical fitness, appearance and standards for military personnel, including banning beards, "men in skirts" and "fat" generals. Hegseth said the Pentagon's mission is "warfare: preparing for war and preparing for victory."