Palm Coast Times

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressmen Mike Waltz (FL-6) and Jim Banks (IN-3) have raised their concerns over the Annual Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Conference held by the United States Military Academy (USMA) last month. In a letter addressed to USMA Superintendent Lieutenant General Steven Gilland and Air Force Academy Superintendent Lieutenant General Richard Clark, the Congressmen expressed their unease about certain events that took place during the conference.

The Congressmen's worries stem from an incident where a uniformed cadet made derogatory remarks about Members of Congress during the conference. The cadet questioned whether the teachings on gender, race, and nationalism, which are part of the United States Air Force Academy's Diversity and Inclusion Minor, could be safeguarded from potential interference by "particularly bad batch of Congressman." The audience responded with laughter, and it is unclear if any senior officers intervened to correct the cadet's behavior or educate the group on civilian oversight of the military.

Furthermore, the Congressmen highlighted their concerns about the conference's lineup of speakers, some of whom have a history of partisan behavior and controversial remarks. One speaker blamed former President Trump's "bigoted opinions" for the rise in anti-black and immigrant hate, while another based classroom exercises on the work of Derrick Bell, known as the "Godfather of Critical Race Theory." The selection of such speakers raised questions for the Congressmen about the potential encouragement of partisanship within the USMA's environment.

The letter concludes with a series of questions addressed to the USMA and USAFA superintendents, seeking clarification on whether the cadet was counseled on appropriate references to elected officials, if alternative viewpoints were presented to the cadets, whether the group was educated on civilian oversight of the military, and whether the academies condone the partisan statements made during the conference.

As veterans themselves, Congressmen Waltz and Banks find the apparent acquiescence of demeaning statements aimed at Congress troubling and indicative of the increasing politicization of military academies. They hope for a prompt response to their concerns from the USMA and USAFA superintendents.

For more information, read the full letter here.