The U.S. Army Returns to Centralized Selection Board/List Merit-Based System

By The Blog Source

The U.S. Army has discontinued the Command Assessment Program (CAP), which used bias-focused reviews and psychological assessments to determine officer promotions. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth celebrated the decision on X, stating that promotions "will ONLY be based on merit & performance."

Low participation was observed in CAP, which was implemented in 2020 and sought to lessen prejudice in the appointment of senior officers through behavioral analysis and peer reviews. In 2024, almost 50% of eligible officers chose not to participate, up from 40% in 2019. After Gen. Charles Hamilton of Army Materiel Command was dismissed in December 2024 for meddling in the selection process in favor of a candidate who had failed CAP testing, CAP's reputation took a hit. The Army will immediately resume using its Centralized Selection Board/List (CSL) system, which bases promotions on performance, leadership potential, and service records, after Army Secretary Dan Driscoll suspended the program last month.

The Command Assessment Program, a contentious promotion scheme intended to prioritize behavioral assessments and lessen bias in officer selection, was discontinued by the Army after a five-year trial. The program aimed to modernize the Army's promotion process by assessing leadership, emotional intelligence, and cognitive ability through peer assessments and psychometric tests. Senior officers were not enthusiastic about the project, either, and it soon came under fire.

In August, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll ordered a thorough assessment and discontinued CAP. The Army announced on Thursday that it will return to the old-fashioned Centralized Selection Board/List approach, which is based on a candidate's assessments, leadership history, and prior assignments. "Good riddance. Promotions across [the Department of Defense] will ONLY be based on merit & performance," wrote Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on X, expressing his joy at the decision.

With 54% of eligible officers opting out last year, up from 40% in 2019, CAP participation has been progressively declining, suggesting a lack of trust in the system. After an Inspector General inquiry found that Army Materiel Command chief Gen. Charles Hamilton unlawfully influenced the process to assist a lieutenant colonel who failed her CAP evaluation, the practice came under even more criticism. When Hamilton lost his command in December 2024, CAP's reputation took a hit.

The cancellation is in line with a directive issued on June 20 by the under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness, which asked for a more thorough examination of the military's evaluation and promotion procedures for officers.

With the elimination of CAP, the Army intends to reestablish confidence in its selection procedure by reverting to its traditional merit-based board system.

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