Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued guidance on the eve of Black History Month declaring that “identity months” are “dead” at the Pentagon.

The guidance announced Friday stated that the Defense Department will “not use official resources, to include man-hours, to host celebrations or events” related to celebrations of the various months. Hegseth’s announcement did invite service members and civilians to still attend celebrations in their “unofficial capacity outside of duty hours.”

“Our unity and purpose are instrumental to meeting the Department’s warfighting mission. Efforts to divide the force — to put one group ahead of another — erode camaraderie and threaten mission execution,” the guidance said.

The months listed included Black History Month for February, Women’s History Month for March, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month for May, and Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15-Oct. 15, among others.

“Installations, units, and offices are encouraged to celebrate the valor and success of military heroes of all races, genders, and backgrounds as we restore our warrior culture and ethos. We are proud of our warriors and their history, but we will focus on the character of their service instead of their immutable characteristics,” the guidance from Hegseth continued.

The directive comes as the Trump administration has made the elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts a key priority, while the defense secretary himself made the elimination of DEI one of his first priorities after entering office.

The guidance comes shortly after the White House issued President Donald Trump’s proclamation of Black History Month, in which he called “upon public officials, educators, librarians, and all the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.”

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“Throughout our history, black Americans have been among our country’s most consequential leaders, shaping the cultural and political destiny of our Nation in profound ways. American heroes such as Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Thomas Sowell, Justice Clarence Thomas, and countless others represent what is best in America and her citizens,” Trump’s Friday proclamation said.

“Their achievements, which have monumentally advanced the tradition of equality under the law in our great country, continue to serve as an inspiration for all Americans,” the proclamation continued.