This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/18/pete-hegseth-yvette-davids-naval-academy
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Pete Hegseth replaces first woman to lead US naval academy with Marine Corps general | Pete Hegseth replaces first woman to lead US naval academy with Marine Corps general |
| (about 13 hours later) | |
| Yvette Davids, who took the role in January 2004, will be succeeded by Michael Borgschulte | Yvette Davids, who took the role in January 2004, will be succeeded by Michael Borgschulte |
| The first woman to lead the US naval academy is being reassigned, with the defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, moving to replace her with a Marine Corps general, defense officials confirmed on Friday. | The first woman to lead the US naval academy is being reassigned, with the defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, moving to replace her with a Marine Corps general, defense officials confirmed on Friday. |
| The decision marks the first time in the nearly 180-year history of the academy that a Marine Corps officer has been nominated to take charge. | The decision marks the first time in the nearly 180-year history of the academy that a Marine Corps officer has been nominated to take charge. |
| Yvette Davids, who assumed leadership of the academy in January 2024, is being succeeded by Michael Borgschulte, currently responsible for Marine Corps personnel as the deputy commandant for manpower and reserve affairs based in Quantico, Virginia, according to a Friday press release from the defense department. | Yvette Davids, who assumed leadership of the academy in January 2024, is being succeeded by Michael Borgschulte, currently responsible for Marine Corps personnel as the deputy commandant for manpower and reserve affairs based in Quantico, Virginia, according to a Friday press release from the defense department. |
| A Pentagon official, speaking anonymously to the Washington Post, said that the move was not a dismissal. Davids has been nominated for a senior position on the staff of the chief of naval operations following her roughly 18 months as head of the academy. The defense department confirmed the nomination in a statement on Friday afternoon. | A Pentagon official, speaking anonymously to the Washington Post, said that the move was not a dismissal. Davids has been nominated for a senior position on the staff of the chief of naval operations following her roughly 18 months as head of the academy. The defense department confirmed the nomination in a statement on Friday afternoon. |
| If confirmed by the Senate, she would take over from retiring V Adm Daniel Dwyer as the deputy chief of naval operations overseeing strategy, operations, planning, and combat development. | If confirmed by the Senate, she would take over from retiring V Adm Daniel Dwyer as the deputy chief of naval operations overseeing strategy, operations, planning, and combat development. |
| “I’m honored to be nominated as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans, Strategy, and Warfighting Development. I look forward to continuing to serve alongside America’s strongest warfighters,” Davids said in the statement. | “I’m honored to be nominated as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans, Strategy, and Warfighting Development. I look forward to continuing to serve alongside America’s strongest warfighters,” Davids said in the statement. |
| The Trump administration has removed several high-ranking military officials, many of them women or people of color, as part of an effort to eliminate what officials describe as “wokeness” in the ranks. | The Trump administration has removed several high-ranking military officials, many of them women or people of color, as part of an effort to eliminate what officials describe as “wokeness” in the ranks. |
| This list includes Adm Lisa Franchetti, the navy’s first female chief of operations; Adm Linda Fagan, the Coast Guard’s first female commandant; and Gen Charles “CQ” Brown Jr, who was the first Black chief of staff of the air force and the second Black officer to serve as chairman of the joint chiefs of staff. | This list includes Adm Lisa Franchetti, the navy’s first female chief of operations; Adm Linda Fagan, the Coast Guard’s first female commandant; and Gen Charles “CQ” Brown Jr, who was the first Black chief of staff of the air force and the second Black officer to serve as chairman of the joint chiefs of staff. |
| Earlier this year, Hegseth also dismissed V Adm Shoshana Chatfield, who represented the US military to Nato’s military committee. | Earlier this year, Hegseth also dismissed V Adm Shoshana Chatfield, who represented the US military to Nato’s military committee. |
| Hegseth, a former Fox News host and Trump loyalist, has drawn criticism for his past remarks about the role of women in the military. On a podcast last November with host Shawn Ryan, he said, “I’m straight up just saying we should not have women in combat roles. It hasn’t made us more effective. Hasn’t made us more lethal. Has made fighting more complicated.” | Hegseth, a former Fox News host and Trump loyalist, has drawn criticism for his past remarks about the role of women in the military. On a podcast last November with host Shawn Ryan, he said, “I’m straight up just saying we should not have women in combat roles. It hasn’t made us more effective. Hasn’t made us more lethal. Has made fighting more complicated.” |
| He went on to acknowledge that while women serve important roles in support operations, he opposes their placement in direct combat units. “Dads push us to take risks. Moms put the training wheels on our bikes. We need moms. But not in the military, especially in combat units,” he said in his book. | He went on to acknowledge that while women serve important roles in support operations, he opposes their placement in direct combat units. “Dads push us to take risks. Moms put the training wheels on our bikes. We need moms. But not in the military, especially in combat units,” he said in his book. |
| He emphasized his views, writing, “Women in the infantry – women in combat on purpose – is another story,” and argued that “women cannot physically meet the same standards as men”. | He emphasized his views, writing, “Women in the infantry – women in combat on purpose – is another story,” and argued that “women cannot physically meet the same standards as men”. |
| However, his stance appeared to soften under Senate scrutiny. During his January confirmation hearing, Hegseth said he supported female troops as long as military standards are preserved. | However, his stance appeared to soften under Senate scrutiny. During his January confirmation hearing, Hegseth said he supported female troops as long as military standards are preserved. |
| Speaking later on The Megyn Kelly Show, he said, “If we have the right standard and women meet that standard, roger. Let’s go.” When asked about the contrast between his past statements and his current position, he responded that “writing a book is different than being secretary of defense”. | Speaking later on The Megyn Kelly Show, he said, “If we have the right standard and women meet that standard, roger. Let’s go.” When asked about the contrast between his past statements and his current position, he responded that “writing a book is different than being secretary of defense”. |
| The best public interest journalism relies on first-hand accounts from people in the know. | |
| If you have something to share on this subject you can contact us confidentially using the following methods. | |
| Secure Messaging in the Guardian app | |
| The Guardian app has a tool to send tips about stories. Messages are end to end encrypted and concealed within the routine activity that every Guardian mobile app performs. This prevents an observer from knowing that you are communicating with us at all, let alone what is being said. | |
| If you don't already have the Guardian app, download it (iOS/Android) and go to the menu. Select ‘Secure Messaging’. | |
| SecureDrop, instant messengers, email, telephone and post | |
| See our guide at theguardian.com/tips for alternative methods and the pros and cons of each. |