Records show that concepts are embedded in DOD training.

(Washington, DC) – Today, government watchdog Functional Government Initiative (FGI) announces it has obtained documentation of the Department of Defense (DoD)’s efforts to inject social justice theories and practices into the U.S. military. Documents FGI requested via the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provide details on numerous contracts to train military members on a variety of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) topics.

DEI initiatives have taken corporations and academics by storm and proceed from the belief that so-called “white privilege” and “systemic racism” taint the American merit-based system. DEI and “anti-racism” indoctrination are attempts to “even the playing field.” Rather than focus on the military preparedness concerns, the DoD is spending time and taxpayer money on furthering progressive propaganda.

The Biden-Harris administration has faced myriad issues that necessitate a strong and capable military force. The Afghanistan withdrawal in August 2021 destabilized Afghanistan, despite reassurance that Kabul would not fall. Russia invaded Ukraine months later, and Hamas brutally attacked Israel in October 2023 and continues to hold Americans hostage. Iran-backed Yemeni rebels threaten one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world and attacks on American bases in the Middle East have accelerated since 2021. All while, our military is facing a recruiting crisis unlike any seen before.

Instead of increasing preparedness efforts, the DoD has steadily increased financing to train warriors on the perils of systemic racism and unconscious bias. One of the grant records from the DoD states that, “Systematic racism is part of the American life and challenges the beliefs that allow it to flourish.”

A grant to the University of Missouri sought to improve recruitment and accessibility in STEM undergraduate research experiences (URE), because “hand-picked selection perpetuates the exclusion of underrepresented students from STEM fields, including women, minorities, and veterans as these students suffer disproportionate achievement gaps.” This prevalent threat requires that the “underrepresented groups [receive] first priority” for STEM grants, according to documents from the Office of Naval Research.

The Air Force considered a contract to Cornell University to “train the trainers” with the goal of enabling Air Force employees to teach “unconscious bias” training. These trainings use metacognition, the practice of being aware of one’s own thinking, to teach about “unconscious racism.” Not only did the DoD want to change members’ thinking, but also it considered enacting “grooming and uniform changes” as part of an effort “more-sweeping ways to advance equity.” These conversations took place with the goal of increasing “diversity in hiring.”

Peter McGinnis, spokesman for FGI, issued the following statement:

“The U.S. and its allies are facing challenges and threats all over the globe. Despite the increased concern for military preparedness, the DoD continues to prioritize DEI initiatives. Rather than maximizing readiness training to ensure a capable military, the DoD’s training seems calculated to foster sowing internal discord with aggressive efforts to promote controversial ideologies. Americans join the military to serve their nation and protect the homeland, not to sit through sensitivity training. The DoD owes them better.”

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