The House Oversight Committee has launched an investigation into the impact of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs on the US military. The investigation is being led by Reps. Glenn Grothman, R-Wis., and Jim Banks, R-Ind., who sent a letter to the head of the Pentagon’s Defense Advisory Committee on Diversity and Inclusion (DACODAI), retired Gen. Lester Lyles, demanding information on the considerations and data used to create DACODAI’s annual DEI report.
The committee chairs expressed concern that promotions within the military are being based on sex, gender, ethnicity, and race, rather than merit. They cited the report by Stand Together Against Racism and Radicalism in the Services (STARRS), which compiles testimony from military recruits and their families expressing dismay at DEI training within the military.
The STARRS report found that the majority of cadets do not like the DEI training and see it as divisive and detrimental to morale. The report also said that a minority cadet wrote to STARRS expressing fear and intimidation from speaking out against the training.
The committee chairs stated that Americans expect their sons and daughters in uniform to be led, trained, and equipped by the very best, and they have the right to be concerned about DEI policies that may undermine the military’s effectiveness. The committee requested information and an update on the publication of DACODAI’s final report as soon as possible.
