In a significant move, War Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on February 27 that the Department of War will cease sponsorship of graduate-level education and fellowships at several prominent universities, including Princeton, Columbia, MIT, Brown, and Yale, starting in the academic year 2026-2027. According to Hegseth, these institutions have become “factories of anti-American resentment and military disdain.”
However, Jesse Hamel, a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel and MIT graduate, argues that MIT should be considered an exception. Hamel, who founded VICTUS Technologies, credits the technical expertise and operational seriousness of MIT as critical to his company’s success in developing resilient autonomy for GPS-denied battlefields.
“THE TALENT BASE AND THE OPERATIONAL SERIOUSNESS OF MIT MADE VICTUS POSSIBLE.”
Hamel’s experiences from 2023 to 2025 at MIT highlighted the respect for military service and the high academic standards upheld by the university. Notably, MIT became the first elite private university to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) statements in faculty hiring in May 2024, a decision made by President Sally Kornbluth to uphold freedom of expression.
MIT’s historical contributions to national defense are noteworthy. Since 1865, it has trained over 12,000 military officers, including notable figures like General James Doolittle and astronaut Buzz Aldrin. MIT’s significant projects, such as the Radiation Laboratory during World War II and the creation of the Lincoln Laboratory, have been pivotal in American defense innovations.
MIT HAS TRAINED MORE THAN 12,000 MILITARY OFFICERS, INCLUDING OVER 150 GENERALS AND ADMIRALS.
As the future of warfare increasingly relies on artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, MIT remains at the forefront with the TX-GAIN, the most powerful AI supercomputer at any U.S. university. This facility aids in developing autonomous navigation models crucial for the Department of War.
The stance of the Hegseth Doctrine is clear: only support institutions aligning with military values. However, Hamel emphasizes that excluding MIT could hinder the technical advancements vital for national security. MIT’s continuous innovation and dual-use research culture are essential for modern defense readiness.
Jesse Hamel, founder of VICTUS Technologies and retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel, asserts that MIT’s contributions and potential warrant its inclusion in the Department of War’s educational partnerships.
