Army Cuts Command Selection Program that Uses Expanded Evaluations, Feedback From Peers and Subordinates
The Army evaluated nearly 2,000 officers annually under Command Assessment Program before reverting to the previous board review system amid ongoing evaluation reforms.
- The U.S. Army officially discontinued the Command Assessment Program , which used peer, subordinate, and psychological evaluations to select leaders for battalion and brigade command roles.
- CAP began as a 2019 pilot to reduce conscious and unconscious bias in promotions but faced declining participation, with a record 54% of officers opting out in 2024, prompting a review ordered earlier this year by Army Secretary Dan Driscoll.
- Each year, CAP assesses close to 2,000 officers through evaluations that include written expression, fitness levels, and leadership aptitude, utilizing feedback from peers and subordinates in addition to traditional superior officer reviews.
- Army spokesperson Travis Shaw confirmed that the previous CAP evaluations will be excluded from consideration, as the Army reinstates the CSL system, which assesses candidates by reviewing their prior assignments, performance, and shown potential.
- The program's cancellation aligns with a June 20 memo mandating a review of evaluation and command selection systems, highlighting ongoing Pentagon reassessment of officer promotion processes and marking a rollback of Biden-era policies.
17 Articles
17 Articles
The U.S. Army announced the cancellation of its controversial Command Evaluation Program (CAP), a system that used psychological tests, peer assessments and behavioral analysis to select future commanders. The decision marks a return to a model focused on military merit and performance.Read more]]>


Army Ends Bias-Reduction Program for Promotions
The Army has scrapped a Biden administration program that had a stated goal of reducing conscious and unconscious biases and using new methods for command-level promotions. The Command Assessment Program used psychology and peer assessments in addition to traditional methods. It was created as a pilot program in 2019 to evaluate sergeants major, lieutenant colonels, and colonels for command assignments in battalion- and brigade-level units, Mili…
'Good riddance': Hegseth praises Army dumping command promotion boards aimed at eliminating bias
The Army canceled its Command Assessment Program that used psychological assessments for promotions, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth saying promotions will be merit-based only.
Army Ditches Biden-Era Promotion System, Will Now Focus 'Only on Merit and Performance'
A Biden-era system adopted by the Army to put fighting bias ahead of fighting wars has been dropped. The Command Assessment Program was a pilot program for several years before […] The post Army Ditches Biden-Era Promotion System, Will Now Focus 'Only on Merit and Performance' appeared first on The Western Journal.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 69% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium