His assumption is that nonwhite or nonmale officers cannot, by definition, earn it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42F_M-hxzsI
NYT: Hegseth blocks two Black, two female military officers from being promoted

YouTube
Oh and(see below):
Hegseth & Trump have only one use for Black people in the military, it seems:
Cannon fodder to die instead of whites.