Defense Secretary Orders Renaming of USNS Harvey Milk Amid DEI Policy Changes

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has instructed the U.S. Navy too change the name of the USNS Harvey Milk (T-AO 206), a fleet oiler that joined the Navy in 2023, as reported by various media outlets referencing U.S. Defense officials. this proclamation coincides with the start of Pride Month adn marks a significant shift in military policies regarding diversity and inclusion.

The ship honors Harvey Milk, a Navy veteran who made history as one of America’s first openly gay elected officials, receiving this recognition from the Navy back in 2016.The USNS Harvey Milk is part of a series known as the John Lewis-class fleet oilers, wich are crucial for at-sea replenishment operations. These vessels measure 742 feet and can transport around 157,000 barrels of oil while supplying diesel fuel and other essential resources to naval ships during missions.

General Dynamics NASSCO is responsible for delivering this vessel and currently has contracts for seventeen out of twenty planned ships within this class—a deal that was expanded in September 2024 with an estimated value exceeding $6.7 billion. Typically named after prominent civil rights figures, other ships in this class include USNS john Lewis, USNS Earl Warren, and USNS Robert F. Kennedy.

This renaming decision raises questions about how military institutions balance tradition with evolving societal values—especially during significant cultural moments like Pride Month—highlighting ongoing debates about depiction within armed forces globally.