A recent report by Will Thibeau, director of the American Military Project at the Claremont Institute, has shed light on the alarming impact of radical left-wing ideology on the U.S. military’s readiness and ability to respond to global threats. The report, titled “Identity in the Trenches: The Fatal Impact of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion on U.S. Military Readiness,” reveals how the military’s increasing obsession with racial and gender politics is undermining its core mission of protecting American lives and interests.
According to Thibeau, the military’s decline in readiness and effectiveness can be attributed to its adoption of a “dangerous ideology” that prioritizes group quotas and forced outcome equality for identity groups based on race and sex. This ideology, which has been infiltrating the military for decades, has led to a steady decline in the military’s ethos and selection standards.
The report notes that the military’s transformation into an identity-centric institution began during the Truman administration, when efforts to eradicate racial discrimination were initially well-intentioned. However, over time, these efforts devolved into a left-wing agenda that prioritized racial and gender politics over military effectiveness.
Thibeau argues that the military’s emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has led to a decline in recruiting standards and a decrease in the number of qualified enlistees. The report cites examples of how the Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force have all lowered their recruiting standards in recent years, including the Army’s decision to gut academic requirements and the Air Force’s decision to allow applicants to have a higher percentage of body fat.
The report concludes by calling for the military to return to its rigorous standards and to end all consideration of race and sex in personnel evaluation, contracts, and programs. Thibeau also recommends structural reforms in the Pentagon to dismantle the DEI bureaucracy and ensure that the military operates effectively and efficiently.
Ultimately, the report warns that the military’s continued prioritization of DEI over military effectiveness will have severe consequences for national security and the safety of American lives.
