Military academy officers testify before Armed Services Committee on affirmative action exemption
David Zimmermann
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The bipartisan House Armed Services Committee held a hearing Tuesday afternoon on the diversity and admissions practices of United States military academies following the Supreme Court’s ruling on affirmative action in higher education.
Last month, the Supreme Court ruled that race-based admissions are now unconstitutional in colleges and universities, but exempted military academies from the court’s majority opinion.
The hearing’s purpose was to “receive testimony on admissions criteria and process, curriculum development, standards, and content, and impacts on thought and learning at the Military Service Academies,” according to the subcommittee’s website.
Witness testimony was given by Lieutenant General Steven W. Gilland, superintendent of U.S. Military Academy West Point; Vice Admiral Sean Buck, superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy; and Lieutenant General Richard M. Clark, superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy.
In their opening statements, all three witnesses assured committee members their respective institutions were teaching cadets “how to think, not what to think” and preparing them for every possible threat against the nation.
Buck emphasized the military’s commitment to “a variety of backgrounds” which, as he said, teaches students to “sharpen critical thinking skills” and prepares them “by being in diverse environments.” These goals are reflected in the curriculum across the three academies.
The witnesses also invited representatives to visit the campuses and judge whether the academies were indoctrinating cadets through diversity and inclusion programs or giving applicants a free pass based on race.
Republican committee members said they were concerned about the push for critical race theory and diversity, equity, and inclusion in relation to how they would harm national security.
“I believe race-based admissions in any form violate the Constitution,” said Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN). “The military service academies must ensure immutable characteristics like race and color have no bearing on a candidate’s ability to tackle the rigors of military life.”
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Democratic members also voiced concerns but for a different reason altogether. They argued that allowing the military to embrace affirmative action makes the military stronger.
“It’s advantageous for us to embrace diversity,” Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX) said. “It makes us stronger, to embrace diversity. Our country is diverse, so we should reflect that diversity.”