Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shocked the Defense establishment Thursday when he ordered the dismissal of dozens of Defense advisory committee members. "To support the new strategic direction and policy priorities of the Department, we require fresh thinking to drive bold changes," wrote Hegseth in a memo dismissing the committee members. "Therefore, informed by the recently concluded 45-day review, I direct the conclusion of service of all members of each DoD advisory committee, board, or panel subject to the attached memorandum (hereafter collectively referred to as 'DoD advisory committees'), consistent with applicable law." 

While most of the attention has focused on the demolition of the Defense Policy Board and the defenestration of Obama factotum and harbinger of geopolitical disaster, Susan Rice, the impact goes much farther; see Hegseth Makes Move About Advisory Board That's Sure to Infuriate Dems...Especially Susan Rice – RedState.

Federal advisory committees are ubiquitous. "Federal advisory committees are created by Congress, Presidents, and executive branch agencies to gain expertise and policy advice from individuals outside the federal government. While they may be called by other names—such as task forces, panels, commissions, working groups, boards, councils, or conferences—the practical purpose of federal advisory committees typically remains the same: to facilitate an exchange of policy ideas among experts and affected parties and to provide recommendations to the federal government. Since 1972, many federal advisory committees have been subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA; 5 U.S.C. Chapter 10)."

The Department of Defense has 41 advisory committees created under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, ranking it fifth among federal agencies in terms of committees. Health and Human Services has about 260.

FACA Agency_ Department of Defense by streiff on Scribd

Conceptually, the FACA system is supposed to bring together a broad range of views and opinions to provide the best possible advice to cabinet secretaries and, through them, to the president on a range of issues. In practice, it has at least three other purposes. First, all advisory committee meetings must meet the requirements of "open meetings" laws, so whatever advice the secretary gets is available to Congress. Membership on these committees is a patronage job that rewards political supporters and makes nice to political powerbrokers in the opposition party. Finally, the fact that the committees are composed of members appointed by both parties and the committee members know their advice will be public ensures that the recommendations don't rock the boat. There is one exception that I'll hit momentarily.

 Regarding the possibilities and problems with defense advisory committees, I'd recommend these posts (here | here). Here's how I'd summarize them: For these boards to be useful, they need outside-the-box thinkers seeking high-impact solutions to critical problems. It needs Billy Mitchells and John Boyds. The problem is that no one in DOD wants to deal with controversial ox-goring solutions; they want more of the same, only a little better than before. By salting the committees with political adversaries of the party in power, you ensure nothing gets done. 

These committees also serve as a source of leaks that damage the current administration and sabotage potential changes. Democrat members of the Defense Policy Board may have been active in trying to sandbag Hegseth.

The exception to that is the Defense Advisory Committee on Women In The Service (DACOWITS), which has single-handedly done more to destroy the US military than anything the USSR accomplished. This is a politically charged committee filled with feminist activists and deep links to powerful members of Congress. No matter how harebrained, its recommendations frequently become DOD policy because the SecDef usually finds it less painful to go along. To his credit, George W. Bush disbanded this committee only to relent and reestablish it toward the end of his presidency.

Hey Pete Hegseth!

Want to cut waste and get away from bad ideas like putting women into SOF units?

Do away with the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS). Abolish it.

DACOWITS has been around since 1968. It has always been a bastion of high-powered,… pic.twitter.com/unUwUtCcoC

— Cynical Publius (@CynicalPublius) December 9, 2024

To be clear, not all these advisory committees have been eliminated because many are required by law. What Hegseth has done is clear the decks for new membership that is much more in line with his priorities than the current cast of characters. Hopefully, Hegseth will find some way of getting useful work out of these committees, but at a minimum, he is moving to neuter their downside.

Few things are harder than turning around a failing, but complacent and self-satisfied organization. That is the challenge facing Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. The military services have been hollowed out through DEI and dysfunctional leadership. The industrial base is dead in the water. Follow RedState for some of the most informed coverage on his efforts to recreate a force in crisis. Join RedState VIP and help continue that coverage. Use promo code FIGHT to get 60% off your membership.