US Army Lieutenant General Telita Crosland, who heads the military’s health agency and is one of the most senior Black female Army officers, was reportedly forced to end her career.
On Friday (February 28), Crosland was forced to retire from her military role just a week after President Donald Trump fired the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and other senior officers, sources told Reuters.
Crosland’s retirement was publicly announced Friday, but Reuters reported that the senior officer was told she must resign.
“I want to thank Crosland for her dedication to the nation, to the military health system, and to Army medicine for the past 32 years,” Stephen Ferrara, acting assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, said in a statement Friday.
The sources, a current and former official, said Crosland wasn’t given a reason why she had to retire. The Pentagon also declined to provide a reason why Crosland allegedly resigned.
Crosland’s departure comes amid Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s efforts to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at the Pentagon. Last month, Hegseth said he believed that “diversity is our strength” was the “single dumbest phrase in military history.” The defense secretary also moved to end commemorations for Black History Month, Women’s History Month, and more.
Hegseth has also ended commemorations of identity month celebrations, like Black History Month and Women’s History Month.
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