By Cemeron Arcand of TheCenterSquare
A recent study conducted by Arizona State University suggests that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts in the United States military are ineffective. The study, carried out by the university’s Center for American Institutions, highlighted the emphasis on training new soldiers on social issues such as “unconscious bias” and “intersectionality,” which the center argues goes against traditional American values.
The study examined DEI plans across various sectors of the military, including staffing in DEI offices and education at institutions like West Point. The executive summary of the study stated, “The massive DEI bureaucracy, its training, and its pseudo-scientific assessments are at best distractions that absorb valuable time and resources and at worst, communicate the opposite of the military ethos.”
Donald Critchlow, the director of the center, focused on the influence of Critical Race Theory in military training in the study. He expressed surprise at how deeply embedded DEI programs are in the U.S. Armed Forces and service academies.
In terms of recommendations, the study suggested eliminating DEI offices, although it acknowledged the political challenges of doing so. The study also proposed prioritizing civic education in the military with an emphasis on American values of freedom and opportunity.
The study’s findings are particularly relevant as some branches of the military face challenges in recruiting new members.
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