Efforts to impose Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs within the United States military are proving to be counterproductive, as revealed by a recent study conducted by Arizona State University’s Center for American Institutions. This in-depth research scrutinized DEI initiatives across various military sectors, including staffing levels within DEI offices and educational frameworks at prestigious institutions such as West Point.
According to the study, there is a disconcerting trend toward embedding social concepts like “unconscious bias” and “intersectionality” into training new recruits. The executive summary highlights that these initiatives represent a significant diversion of resources and time without delivering the intended benefits. Worse still, these efforts appear to undermine the cornerstone ethos of the military, suggesting that personal demographic differences should take precedence over collective mission and teamwork.
The center’s director, Donald Critchlow, disclosed that the project’s initial aim was to review civic education within the military. However, the extent to which Critical Race Theory has been integrated into military training programs was unexpectedly pervasive. The study documents a widespread presence of DEI initiatives throughout the armed forces and their academies, extending well beyond formal training programs.
The study also touches upon the historical apprehension towards a politicized military, a concern shared by the Founding Fathers of the United States. Historically, a military entangled with political agendas is a precursor to tyranny. The longstanding tradition in the U.S. military has been to keep its mission separate from political interference, a tradition that is now jeopardized by these new training directives.
One of the stark recommendations posited by the study is the complete dismantling of DEI offices. However, the authors acknowledge that this may be politically infeasible in the short term. They suggest that ending the DEI bureaucracy is the most direct route to halting the concerning trends of race and sex-based alienation and scapegoating within the military. Without such decisive action, the study advocates for pursuing alternative pathways that could foster positive changes despite the current policies in place.
The study further recommends renewing the emphasis on civic education, particularly programs that highlight America’s dedication to freedom and opportunity. This would align with traditional American values and bolster recruitment efforts, which have been struggling across various branches of the military.
The findings and recommendations of this study from Arizona State University ignite a crucial dialogue about the role of DEI programs within the military and raise pressing questions about their efficacy in contributing to the core mission of the armed forces. The data suggests a significant misalignment between these initiatives and the goal of cultivating a cohesive, mission-oriented military. As such, this poses an important consideration for policymakers and military leaders.
