Review of Hazing, Bullying, & Harassment Definitions

[This memorandum was issued as part of a series of memoranda released by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on September 30, 2025.] This memorandum directs the Under Secretary of War for Personnel and Readiness to conduct a 30-day review of the Department's definitions of hazing, bullying, and harassment. It states that current definitions are "overly broad" in ways that "jeopardize combat readiness, mission accomplishment, and trust in the organization," and that they hinder commanders' ability to enforce standards and maintain discipline. The review is intended to produce revised definitions that empower leaders to foster a "warrior ethos rooted in mutual respect and accountability" while preserving readiness. The 30-day timeline for the review suggests the results were expected by late October or early November 2025; no publicly released follow-on policy document had been identified as of June 2026.