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According to reports, the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado has removed the “Diversity and Inclusion Studies” minor from its official list of academic programs. While this move may be seen as overdue by some, it raises questions about the relevance of diversity studies in military training.
The now-discontinued program aimed to equip students with the ability to “Analyze, synthesize, and apply a broad range of theories of, and methodologies for, the critical study of diversity and inclusion, including how diversity and inclusion change in varied historical and social contexts,” as stated on the Campus Reform website. Additionally, a gender studies minor was also scrapped, leading to concerns about the prioritization of core military competencies over social discourse.
There it is.
The West Point Military Academy and the Air Force Academy have ended their minors in “Diversity and Inclusion Studies.” pic.twitter.com/EzGfVQpM5K
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) February 2, 2025
“The group Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) filed a lawsuit against the Air Force Academy on Dec. 10, alleging that the institution’s consideration of race in its admissions process violates the equal protection principle of the Constitution.”
This development aligns with the broader trend of reducing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) requirements across various institutions, driven in part by the Trump administration’s policies and public sentiment against such initiatives. The emphasis is gradually shifting back towards merit-based evaluations.
Air Force Academy drops ‘Diversity and Inclusion Studies’ minor | CJ Womack, Campus Reform
The United States Air Force Academy in Colorado has removed the “Diversity and Inclusion Studies” minor from its official list of “majors and minors.”
The minor was available on the… pic.twitter.com/LNxd5Tq2Qm
— Owen Gregorian (@OwenGregorian) January 31, 2025
One official’s statement to Campus Reform underscores this shift, “The Department of Defense will fully execute and implement all directives outlined in the Executive Orders issued by the President, ensuring that they are carried out with utmost professionalism, efficiency, and in alignment with national security objectives.”
As the country moves towards reinstating merit as the primary criterion, the discontinuation of programs like gender studies and race-based admissions in the military and its associated universities is seen as a positive step by proponents of this approach.