On Friday, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced a major update to military civilian college programs, identifying Auburn University as a potential new partner institution.
Senior Service College Fellowship programs allow military officers to attend a mainstream academic institution instead of a traditional War College. Harvard University and the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, D.C. are two previously participating institutions.
The head of the newly renamed Department of War expressed concern over the effects of anti-American education on leading military officers. This announcement is the latest example of the Trump administration’s aggressive actions against Ivy League schools and other prominent academic institutions.
Hegseth said the goal of these programs is to “transform our senior war fighters into strategic thinkers capable of mastering the complexities of modern warfare and leading our joint force to victory. Unfortunately, this sacred trust has been broken in this military's professional military education system.”
The secretary’s memorandum was accompanied by a list of “Potential New Partner Institutions,” naming the University of Tennessee, Hillsdale College and Auburn University.
Hegseth explained the department’s criteria for the military’s new fellowship programs.
“We demand that senior service colleges work to sharpen our warfighters on genuine national security issues, not social justice activism. We demand curriculums grounded in the founding principles of this Republic. Principles that champion the enduring ideals of peace through strength and putting American interests first," he stated.
The announcement comes after Auburn University has taken major steps to realign its academic programs with Alabama’s conservative values. Last year, 1819 News reported on multiple instances of critical race theory and gender ideology in school curriculum and the university’s corrective actions.
“It’s a very exciting opportunity,” Auburn College Republicans chapter President Keener Linder said, “Auburn University is an increasingly prestigious institution with a large group of ROTC students.”
Linder also said he is glad “Mr. Hegseth is thinking of us.”
Hegseth concluded the video announcement by reaffirming his support for the U.S. military.
“The so-called elite of academia may mock your patriotism and disdain your sacrifice,” he said. “But never forget that we at the War Department have your back, the American people have your back, and President Trump has your back, always.”
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