ARMY ENLISTED ACADEMY PREVENTS STUDENTS FROM WRITING ESSAYS THAT INCLUDE DEI CONTENT

One of the Army’s most important schools has instructed students that they are no longer allowed to write academic essays about diversity, including topics like gender, race, cultural differences, and the LGBTQ+ community. In short, they are no longer allowed to write about topics that might have DEI content.

The decision that was made was a bigger part of the change that is happening across the whole military, as lessons, programs, and resources in schools that are related to diversity, equity, and inclusion are being removed.

What Is the Reason Behind the Change?

This change happened as many students are choosing topics that are now seen as not allowed and are related to DEI content.

Most of the students spent weeks researching and writing about issues of gender equality or racism in the military. However, the Army saw these topics as too close to DEI, which has been ended by the current administration, as they had the goal of removing wasteful government DEI programs.

“Students were required to select their topics and begin their research months before the presidential executive orders were issued. Some students selected topics that may have been construed to have a DEI frame of reference and were potentially incompliant," Lt. Col. Eugene Miranda, a service spokesperson, said in a statement.

The current administration has explained that DEI focuses too much on people’s differences and not enough on unity. Therefore, Sergeants Major Academy decided to cancel the writing plans and give the students new academic assignments that also followed the new rules.

"Because of the time already invested in the writing requirements, the Sergeants Major Academy combined the writing requirements and extended the deadline to allow students to complete the work in alignment with new directives." Lt. Col. Eugene Miranda also added.

How Do Service Members Feel About the Situation?

Given the situation, some are upset and worried as this rule makes them feel like their opinions, stories, and views don’t matter. To them, it’s about being heard and seen.

"It's a very serious concern; it's the second-and third-order effects," one academy student expressed their thoughts about the situation. "It makes people feel like they are worthless, how their perspective isn't as valid as it was, say, a few months ago."

Students came from different backgrounds. Therefore, these changes are concerning to them since they could limit their opportunities to share personal experiences as students.

It’s Not Only Happening at One School

The removal of DEI content isn’t only happening at the Sergeants Major Academy. It is also happening in other military schools. Since then, changing programs and canceling classes that include DEI topics has also occurred.

One example is from the Air Force – they had cancelled a class that talked about the Tuskegee Airmen and Women Air Service Pilots (WASPs).

Another one is from the US Naval Academy, where about 400 books were removed from the library. Some of the books that were removed were written by Black women, and other books contain topics like racism and gender, and most are related to DEI content.

West Point also changed its curriculum, and disbanded cadet cultural clubs to comply with Trump’s anti-DEI order.

Why This Matters

When the Sergeants Major Academy made the change, it signaled a broader shift about the people who get to be seen and heard in the military.

The Army has worked to become more welcoming to all people for how many years, no matter what their background is. However, these recent changes are raising concerns for many about military culture, future polices, and more.

With the new policies being implemented across the military, only time will tell what the impact will be on future leaders, military personnel, and the Armed Services as a whole.

Read next:

• Military Families Send Congress a Message Over DEI & Staff Cuts Affecting DODEA
• Trump's DEI Orders Prompt Defense Department Schools to Pull Civil Rights Books
• Military Milestones & American War Hero Images Flagged for Removal Under DEI Purge

Sources:

• Army Enlisted Academy Bars Students from Writing About Women and Minorities