Complaints from experienced soldiers about the younger generation's lack of discipline and adherence to traditional values have persisted throughout history, from the battle-hardened veterans of Greek phalanxes and Roman legions to Napoleon's elite corps. However, the primary concern among seasoned American veterans today is not the perceived decline in discipline and values among the youth.
Instead, they are most alarmed by the erosion of the military's core values due to the imposition of radical progressive, or "woke," policies. These policies are not being championed by a new generation of soldiers but are being enforced by the very leaders responsible for maintaining military readiness.
The infiltration of wokeness into the military is attributed to elected and appointed officials in the White House, Congress, and the Pentagon who often lack a deep understanding of the military's purpose, traditions, and requirements. This push for ideological change did not begin solely during the Biden administration, and it may not automatically cease if a different administration takes office in 2024. Wokeness has become deeply entrenched within the military, leaving senior leaders with little choice but to comply with the policies that stem from it unless they are illegal or directly jeopardize readiness.
Wokeness within the military undermines its cohesiveness by highlighting differences based on race, ethnicity, and gender. It also erodes the authority of military leaders by introducing doubts about whether promotions are based on merit or quota requirements. Moreover, it can result in military personnel being assigned to roles and areas for which they are not adequately prepared. This diverts time and resources away from crucial training activities and weapons development, which are vital for maintaining readiness.
Furthermore, the presence of wokeness in the military affects the relationship between the military and society at large. It discourages many potential young recruits from enlisting and diminishes wholehearted public support for the military, even at a time when such support is critical.
To illustrate the concept of wokeness, consider the following examples:
- In 2015, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus dismissed a Marine Corps study that concluded gender-integrated combat units did not perform as effectively and that women were more likely to suffer combat injuries. This rejection was due to a misalignment with the Obama administration's political agenda.
- The Department of Defense opened all combat positions to women in 2015, with a commitment to "gender-neutral standards." However, when female servicemembers did not score as highly as their male counterparts, the Army eliminated the fitness test under pressure from advocacy groups. As a result, there is no longer a test to assess whether soldiers can meet the fitness requirements for combat roles.
- The Biden administration removed restrictions on military service by individuals suffering from gender dysphoria and allowed active military members to undergo sex-change surgeries and related treatments at taxpayer expense.
- The military has recently lowered physical fitness standards in an attempt to achieve "equity," such as reducing the minimum passing standards for pushups and increasing the minimum run time.
- Efforts to implement gender-neutral job titles in the Navy have resurfaced, and there have been training initiatives to instruct servicemembers on using inclusive language.
Wokeness also extends to the military's approach to addressing systemic racism and white privilege, with service members subjected to indoctrination programs rooted in critical race theory. These programs create divisions along racial and gender lines, contradicting the military's goal of building cohesion based on shared values, training, and standards. Traditional anti-discrimination programs have been replaced by those promoting discrimination based on group identity.
Despite denials by senior officials, evidence suggests that critical race theory is being taught within the military. For instance, a senior officer in the U.S. Space Force was removed from command for publicly discussing the role of critical race theory in military indoctrination. Training materials obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point have revealed content focused on "whiteness" and "white rage."
In an attempt to combat perceived extremism within the ranks, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin called for a military-wide stand-down, despite lacking evidence of a widespread extremism problem. This led to discussions that included the question, "What is up with us white people?"
Wokeness has also extended to the military's approach to environmental issues, with President Biden emphasizing climate change as the greatest threat to America and imposing environmental goals and requirements on the Department of Defense. This has diverted significant resources toward climate-related initiatives.
While there is no direct cause-and-effect evidence regarding the impact of woke policies on military readiness, there are clear indications of negative consequences, including diversion of funds from critical military technologies and a decline in recruitment numbers. These policies also move the military away from mainstream American values, eroding public confidence in the institution.
Efforts to counter wokeness in the military include proposed legislation to prohibit the teaching of critical race theory, curb the creation of diversity offices, and roll back changes in physical fitness requirements. However, there is a need for continued pushback against the spread of wokeness within the military, as the consequences could be severe if the institution is perceived as being exploited for political or ideological purposes. This challenge comes at a time when threats from adversaries like China are growing, making it crucial to maintain a military focused on its core mission of safeguarding American security and freedom.
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