Pete Hegseth directs military academies that all future admissions will be based solely on merit

He added that this would ensure that only the "most qualified candidates" would be admitted.

He said the secretaries of the military departments would have 30 days to certify that there will be no consideration of race, ethnicity or sex in applications and that they will be based on merit only. 

He said merit can be weighted by athletic talent, prior military service, performance at an MSA preparatory school, or other similar experience.

"The Department must remain steadfast in its pursuit of excellence and never compromise the high standards at our MSAs," he concluded. "A strong officer corps is essential to ensuring the United States military remains the most lethal the world has ever known."