Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth personally intervened in the promotion process for several Navy officers selected for advancement to the rank of rear admiral (lower half), or one-star admiral, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.

The move came after a board of senior Navy admirals had already reviewed and recommended candidates for promotion. While the defense secretary has the authority to modify promotion lists, such intervention is relatively uncommon and follows similar actions by Hegseth involving recent Army general officer promotions.

Sources said several officers were removed from the Navy’s promotion list before its official release by the Pentagon on May 22. Those affected reportedly included African American officers, women and white male officers.

According to individuals familiar with the process, the reasons for the removals varied. Some officers were reportedly scrutinized because of their participation in or association with military Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs and initiatives.

The Pentagon has not publicly detailed the rationale behind the changes.

Separately, sources said Hegseth sought to explore ways for one of his senior military aides, Capt. William Francis Jr., a Navy SEAL who serves as his assistant, to be considered for promotion.

However, Francis was reportedly ineligible for review by the promotion board because he did not meet certain professional requirements traditionally expected of candidates for flag officer rank. Those qualifications generally include commanding a major operational unit or holding other senior leadership assignments.

The developments have drawn attention within military circles because promotion boards are typically designed to operate independently, with selections based on established career criteria and recommendations from senior military leaders.

Neither the Defense Department nor Hegseth’s office immediately commented on the reported changes to the promotion list.