Remixed defense advisory boards reflect partisan shift

In early 2021, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin fired all the members of 42 separate defense advisory boards and suspended operation of the panels until the Pentagon could do a “zero-based” review.

The Defense Department sponsors these advisory boards to provide the Pentagon advice on matters such as business operations, innovation, health care, retirement, and operation of the military academies. After a seven-month review, Austin restarted many of the defense advisory boards, but with new slates of members.