The Consultative Council of the Gold Stars of the Ministry of War for the first time

The Consultative Council of the Gold Star of the Ministry of War (GSAC) meets for the first time on Monday, providing an unprecedented direct channel for families of the fallen service to meet and engage with senior military leaders and be heard their votes in terms of decision -making.

Families of gold stars, relatives of American soldiers who have lost their lives in service, have long brought the weight of the sacrifice while often feeling neglected in discussions on military policies and, according to the secretary of war, Pete Hegseth, this new arrangement of the Council is to “conduct changes that will remain”.

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The new council aims to officially place the votes of the families of the military at the heart of decision -making. (Jim Watson / AFP via Getty Images)

“Today marks the first time that a Gold Star Advisory Council has summoned to the Secretary of War,” HegSeth told Fox News Digital, stressing the historical meaning of the moment.

“This advice has been expected for a long time for families of golden stars in order to raise their voices directly to the management of the department, to respond to real concerns and to transform the victim process for good,” he added.

“He has my full support to call chess, shake the status quo quo and lead the changes that will remain throughout the Ministry of War.”

The GSAC was officially established on May 6, 2025, thanks to a memorandum signed by the secretary. Its mission is rooted to honor the ultimate sacrifice of American fighters and ensuring that families left behind are never forgotten.

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President Trump meets a God Star family. (DIST / US Department of Defense)

Bringing together at least twice a year, the Council will be accused of providing political recommendations, keeping the department responsible and providing a permanent forum to Gold Star families to share concerns and propose solutions.

The leadership of the Council reflects both institutional authority and lived experience.

The co-vice chairs include the subsecretary of the staff war and the preparation Anthony J. Tata, alongside Jane Horton, a golden star and main advisor to the war secretary.

Together, they must provide higher level expertise and the deeply personal perspective of those who have lost first hand.

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Pete Hegseth speaks during the national ceremony of the Pow -Pow recognition day – Mia at Pentagon on September 19, 2025. (Images Kevin Dietsch / Getty)

“Families of gold stars are vital for our military community and our mission,” said Tata.

“Their strength and resilience are really inspiring and emblematic of warrior ethics that we strive to promote throughout the total force. The Gold Star Council is a testimony to their sustainable service to our nation.”

He added that advice represents a lasting commitment:

“The Gold Star Advisory Council will allow the department to continue to remember our members of the services fallen and to keep our promise to take care of the families they have left. It played a key role in the elevation of our gold families, to tell their stories and to keep the memories of our fallen heroes.

Jane Horton echoes the responsibility of the secretary and Tata and underlined the objective focused on the mission of the council rather than symbolism.

“The secretary’s office is clear: each warrior must know that if the worst should occur, his family will never be forgotten and that their sacrifice will never be overlooked,” she said.

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“The Gold Star Advisory Council exists to create a real and lasting change. We are not symbolic. We are a set of families of gold stars and senior leaders focused on the mission and focused on the reform of systems that shape the assistance to victims, long -term care and the way our nation honors the fallen.

“The strength of this advice lies in those who have carried an unimaginable loss and who always choose to direct. We are here to serve our warriors.”